KENNY YUM
Ottawa — Globe and Mail Update Published on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005 4:07PM EST Last updated on Tuesday, Apr. 07, 2009 11:56AM EDT
The Defence Department got a $12.7-billion infusion in Wednesday's budget that will boost its troop strength, buy new equipment and bring back the nut-and-bolts funding that was lost in previous cuts.
The money far surpasses previous Liberal promises, but it will have a long wait before most of the funding arrives.
In the budget, the Liberals announced $12.7-billion in funding over five years — its largest spending increase for the department in 20 years. Part of the money will be used in expanding its troops and $2.5-billion for new helicopters, aircraft and other vehicles.
Much of the funding recognizes and restores some of the cuts made to the Forces' budget in the past — to the tune of $3.2-billion over five years.
"In an increasingly uncertain world, Canadians know that we must play our part and shoulder our share," Finance Minister Ralph Goodale said.
"This significant investment in our military means that we will be able to better meet our responsibilities abroad and protect our people at home."
But much of the money will be slow to arrive, with $1.1-billion of the cash coming in the next two fiscal years. At the end of the five-year funding plans, 2008 to 2010, the department will see $10.1-billion.
A total of $3-billion will be spent on boosting the size of the forces — 5,000 full time troops and 3,000 reserves. By the end of the five years, all troops should be in place.
New equipment such as helicopters and trucks will come from $2.7-billion while $3.2-billion will be spent on operational sustainability. This excludes equipment such as the Sea King replacements already announced.
The Liberals has no defined plans for almost 30 per cent of the funding — it set aside $3.8-billion for "new roles" for the military that will come apparent after the defence policy review.
"The shape of what that role should be is evolving, with a new National Security Policy released last April and a comprehensive international policy review soon to be presented," Mr. Goodale said.
The government committed in its Throne Speech to boost its regular forces and its reserves. During the election, the Liberals pledged to spend $2.5-billion to $3-billion over five years.
The budget also contained additional security measures, including:
- $1-billion over five years for national security
- $3.4 billion in foreign assistance funding for poor countries
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