18 September, 2002


Dear Minister,

Every institution that has responsibilities for, or cares about our nation's security has spoken clearly on the need for Canada to spend a greater portion of our national wealth on the nation's defences. I would like to add the voice of the Naval Officers Association of Canada to this important issue, in particular the need for investment in our maritime forces.

Our Association has the special vantage point of a membership whose experience spans eight decades. Our elderly veterans have lived the heroism and sacrifice of young Canadians thrown ill prepared into a World War. Many more of us have served during the cycles of rejuvenation followed by neglect during the Cold War. It is this point I wish to bring to your attention.

Following a round of shipbuilding and expansion of the navy in the late Fifties and early Sixties, successive governments essentially abandoned our maritime security capabilities and our commitments to our NATO partners. By the late Seventies our ships were rusted out, incapable of facing the threats posed by the Soviet bloc. Indeed, we frequently could not even sail from our harbours much less contribute to the collective defence. Fortunately others carried this burden and our hand was not called. At the nadir of our capabilities to defend our ocean approaches and meet our defence interests globally, a cabinet decision was made to rebuild the naval fleet. The Canadian Patrol Frigate program was launched, followed by the modernization of the four Tribal Class Destroyers. By the late Eighties the Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel project had been initiated and by the early Nineties a contract to replace the aging Sea King was signed.

These programs did not produce operational ships until the mid Nineties; over fifteen years from Cabinet decision to operational capability and only twelve of the eighteen frigates that government had agreed as necessary were completed. The navy that is so effectively contributing to the war on terrorism, meeting our nation's interests and obligations internationally and standing ready to protect our sovereignty at home is the result of prudent and responsible investment decisions of previous decades (and governments).

By neglecting investment in our armed forces over the last ten years the Liberal Government is setting in train the conditions of "rust out" that prevailed during much of the Cold War. It is the concern of our Association that Canada will not be able to discharge our sovereign responsibilities at home and abroad. We fear that we will be obliged to respond to a future crisis by sending young Canadians into harm's way without modern, effective ships and aircraft to face a lethal threat. We sincerely hope that is not the legacy of your government.

Surely it is not, as some of your colleagues have opined, that Canadians' interest in the current crisis has waned, or that there are other current and more popular priorities to address that will drive your decisions on defence spending. We believe it is government's duty to provide leadership in assuring a prudent portion of our nation's wealth is assigned to current and future security requirements.

Sir, as you complete your defence review we urge you to approve the equipment programs that have been prepared by the naval staff. Approval of the Sea King replacement, replacement of the forty year old replenishment ships with a multipurpose vessel, and a Tribal Class destroyer replacement are the minimum requirements to avoid "rust out" over the next decade. These programs are essential to ensuring that Canada will maintain the maritime defence capabilities it needs in an uncertain future. Our best wishes for success in convincing your cabinet colleagues of this reality.


Respectfully,

Rear Admiral (retired) Russell Moore

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