Re: “Ottawa likely rethinking budget cutbacks,” column, Jan. 29.
It is ironic that it takes U.S. President Donald Trump to make our Canadian politicians take their duties seriously. The main responsibility of government is the security and defence of the homeland, a duty failed miserably by all our past politicians.
In 1939, the Royal Canadian Navy consisted of six surface combatants, resulting in panic construction and borrowing from others to meet the sudden crisis. In mid-1980 the RCN consisted of 23 surface combatants, three submarines and three replenishment ships. Today, the numbers are 12 surface combatants, with existing replacement capital funding for fewer than nine ships, and four submarines.
With three coasts, some of the largest ports in North America, with an economy dependent on ocean-borne trade, and with unfriendly foreign countries building fleets of surface combatants and submarines at an alarming rate, it is time for a reset by the current government.
In the Asia Pacific area there are about 250 submarines (both nuclear and conventional) with only 50 of them belonging to allies. The remainder are owned by China, Russia and North Korea. China is producing more surface combatants and submarines yearly than Canada has in its entire fleet.
Before the next crisis occurs, Canada must be better prepared.
Robin Allen
Victoria
