(The following article is from the January 1-15, 2010 issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 133 Herkimer St., Unit 502, Hamilton, ON, L8P 2H3.)

People's Voice Editorial

While the Harper Tories whine about the "high cost" of reducing carbon emissions, a new report for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives by defence analyst Bill Robinson shows that military spending will be $21.185 billion in 2009-2010. That puts Canada 13th highest in the world, and number six among NATO's 28 members. The government spends twenty times more on "defence" than on the federal Environment Department, which has a budget of just $1.064 billion. Even the $1.8 billion increase in military spending for 2009-10 nearly doubles the Environment Department budget.

     Canada has spent $23.1 billion in successive increases to military spending since 2001. About half of that has been spent on the Afghanistan war. In historical terms, military spending today has surpassed the Cold War 1989 figures by 22%. The misnamed "Canada First Defence Strategy" calls for an extra $130 billion to $155 billion for the military over the next 18 years. That could nearly triple Canadian overseas development assistance, enabling Canada to meet or exceed the 0.7% foreign aid target and to provide additional resources for climate change.

     Meanwhile, war remains highly profitable. The Coalition to Oppose the Arms Trade reports that Canadian military exports have gone to 62 countries with troops engaged in foreign wars and/or major internal armed conflicts, and that Industry Canada continues to give generous financial support for military manufacturers and exporters.

     Meaningful action on climate change is primarily a matter of political will. Canada has the resources to help tackle this crisis - but the Tories have instead decided to crank up the war machine. It's a criminal policy, and it must be changed!