Russia's invasion of Ukraine a 'turning point' in world history: defence chief
Canada’s chief of defence says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is going to change the course of history.
In an interview with CTV Question Period host Evan Solomon, the Canadian Armed Forces’ Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre called the invasion “a long-term threat.”
“I would say on Feb. 24, the world changed and what we're facing now, history may view as a turning point,” he said. “But it's going to be a world that is characterized by confrontation – confrontation between authoritarian states on one part and liberal democracies on the next.”
Despite Russia’s brutal efforts, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has run an effective communications campaign, speaking to world leaders, celebrities, and even Canadian university students to garner support for his cause.
But with Putin meeting with leaders from China, Brazil, and India, Eyre said the world is likely going to become further entrenched into two camps.
“Russia has been humiliated, given Ukrainian successes, [but] their memory is going to be long,” Eyre said. “And so this is going to be with us for some time, and we've got to maintain our resolve as the West as a group of like-minded, friendly nations who share common values.”
Looming over the division between these authoritarian states and liberal democracies, Eyre said, is the threat of the nuclear option.
“We are seeing rhetoric about the use of nuclear weapons that we haven't seen in, you know, perhaps decades, if not longer,” he said. “We are seeing the norms of territorial integrity – as we've seen with the Russian invasion of Ukraine – completely disregarded. So again, the world may view this as a turning point and we need to be ready.”
Despite Ukraine and NATO’s best efforts, Eyre said the war in eastern Europe is far from over.
“The war in Ukraine has devolved to one of attrition,” Eyre said. “It's not going to be over tomorrow. It is going to last a long time.”
WHAT CAPACITY DOES CANADA HAVE TO HELP?
If Canada is to play a role as part of NATO in defending Ukraine, and possibly other liberal democracies in the future, Eyre said the Canadian military’s capacity and stockpile will need to be beefed up.
“We took our eye off the ball after the Cold War in terms of maintaining war stocks, and industry right now does not have the capacity to rapidly ramp up,” he said. “And so we need to be able to do this as a team.”
Canada’s contributions to NATO could be under the spotlight as members of the organization meet in Madrid next week. Canada has so far failed to meet the NATO target of contributing 2 per cent of the country’s GDP to defence spending, currently budgeting around 1.39 per cent. In order to reach NATO’s target, Canada would have to commit to spend billions more annually.
Though Eyre declined to comment on whether Canada should be moving to meet that target, he said that the Canadian Armed Forces needs to be better equipped under the current threat environment.
“What I can say is the military that we have today is not the military that we need for the future,” he said, adding that Canada needs more ammunition, capabilities, and more troops.
Canada has supported Ukraine’s military since Russian forces first attacked on Feb. 24, with more than $500 million in military aid promised in April's federal budget. The federal government says it has provided more than $150 million in aid since then, including artillery shells, drones and satellite imagery. The government has also sent four artillery guns and several armoured vehicles.
But as the federal government sends support in the form of weapons and monetary aid, Eyre said he worries about our capabilities should Canada need to join the war in the future with boots on the ground.
“Are we prepared? Yes. Do we have everything we need that I would like? No,” Eyre said. “No military commander in history has had everything that they want. But I can say that there are critical shortfalls that we need to address in the short-term.”
But Canada may be lacking the political will to address these critical shortfalls. In March, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly told CTV’s Question Period that Canada is “not a nuclear power, it is not a military power, we're a middle-size power,” and that Canada’s role internationally is about “convening” and ensuring diplomacy is taking place.
When asked about Joly’s comment, Eyre said he could not speak to it directly, but said Canada’s military legacy is one of intervention when necessary.
“If you take a look at our history, and what we have accomplished in World War I, in World War II, in the Korean War, in Afghanistan … when it's necessary to fight, Canadians fight, and we've got that, we've got that tradition to follow up on, to rest on,” Eyre said. “So we've got to continue to prepare for that worst case, continue to prepare to be the nation's ultimate insurance policy.”
With files from Rachel Aiello and The Associated Press
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Local Spotlight
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Fergus, Ont. man feels nickel-and-dimed for $0.05 property tax bill
A property tax bill is perplexing a small townhouse community in Fergus, Ont.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
'I'm committed': Oilers fan won't cut hair until Stanley Cup comes to Edmonton
A local Oilers fan is hoping to see his team cut through the postseason, so he can cut his hair.
'It's not my father's body!' Wrong man sent home after death on family vacation in Cuba
A family from Laval, Que. is looking for answers... and their father's body. He died on vacation in Cuba and authorities sent someone else's body back to Canada.
'Once is too many times': Education assistants facing rising violence in classrooms
A former educational assistant is calling attention to the rising violence in Alberta's classrooms.
What is capital gains tax? How is it going to affect the economy and the younger generations?
The federal government says its plan to increase taxes on capital gains is aimed at wealthy Canadians to achieve “tax fairness.”
UBC football star turning heads in lead up to NFL draft
At 6'8" and 350 pounds, there is nothing typical about UBC offensive lineman Giovanni Manu, who was born in Tonga and went to high school in Pitt Meadows.