CP, OTTAWA: Canada's new top soldier used his inaugural speech Friday to criticize the Liberal government for not spending enough on the military.
“In this country, we could probably not give enough resources to the men and women to do all the things that we ask them to do,” Gen. Rick Hillier said at a full military ceremony, as the prime minister and the defence minister looked on. “But we can give them too little, and that is what we are now doing,” the new chief of defence staff said. “Remember them in your budgets.”
The federal budget is to be handed down Feb. 23.
At a news conference, Hillier made no apologies for his earlier remarks, saying he was speaking on behalf of the Canadian Forces.
“I'm simply articulating what the government needs to understand so they can make those reasoned and intelligent decisions and decide how they allocate the resources in our great country,” he said.
“These are (the government's) men and women, and Canadian men and women, and we need to ensure that they understand what these young men and women need to be successful, to do things around the world on our behalf.”
Hillier said Canadians should stand behind the government if it does decide to increase military spending.
“I also look forward to the support of Canadians, who need to take ownership of their men and women in uniform.”
Defence Minister Bill Graham did not attend the news conference, as had been scheduled. A spokesperson said the minister changed his plans prior to the speech because he needed to catch a plane.
Earlier, in welcoming Hillier to his new post, Prime Minister Paul Martin acknowledged that the military is often the first face seen by other countries as Canada tries to extend its foreign policy beyond North America.
“We as a government talk of . . . building the institutions of democracy, and we talk about the necessity of aiding countries in terms of fighting AIDS, improving health care and education,” Martin said.
“But all of us know that none of that will be possible in conflict-ridden states if in fact security is not first established.”
Hillier, 49, was born in Newfoundland and Labrador, and has spent years overseas on peacekeeping missions. He also led the NATO mission in Afghanistan last year.
In Canada, he commanded the military contingent sent to help in the aftermath of the 1998 ice storms in Ontario and Quebec.
Hillier replaced Gen. Ray Henault, who has been named to NATO's top military post in Brussels.
