EvanL
05-31-2004, 03:59 PM
20,000 more troops plus improved helicopters, fighter-bombers and transport planes
CANADIAN PRESS
TRENTON — Conservative Leader Stephen Harper used a backdrop of grey-painted transport planes at a sprawling southern Ontario air base to promise more money and troops for the military today.
At a campaign stop just outside CFB Trenton, he said a Conservative government would immediately put $1.2 billion more into the defence budget and add 20,000 troops to the ranks.
It would beef up the army with tanks, give the navy hybrid helicopter carriers and provide upgraded CF-18 fighter-bombers and new transport planes.
"Our plan for the Canadian Armed Forces is both strategically necessary and economically affordable," he said.
The Forces now have an authorized strength of 60,000, but can only muster about 52,000 trained troops.
He said the transfusion won't remake the military overnight, but will start the rebuilding process.
Harper's defence promises came as he opened the second week of the campaign for the June 28 federal election.
The Liberals provided $600 million more for the military in the last budget and have promised more cash for new supply ships, among other projects. But they have also said that any major funding increase will have to await the findings of a defence and foreign policy review later this year.
The NDP immediately attacked Harper's defence-spending plan, saying he really wants a bigger army so Canada can join the U.S. in places such as Iraq.
"He's never seen an American war he didn't want Canada to join," the party said in a news release.
Harper planned to spend much of the week in southern and eastern Ontario, seeking to capitalize on the political fallout from the provincial Liberal budget.
Premier Dalton McGuinty's first budget imposed health care premiums and shattered his election promise of no new taxes without a referendum.
That left Prime Minister Paul Martin smarting, as people lashed out at the nearest Liberal — federal or otherwise.
Harper strategists say the Ontario budget fallout gives the federal Conservatives hope and a possible beachhead in Ontario.
The Tories may have lost a good chance in Newfoundland on Monday when John Crosbie, the razor-tongued former federal cabinet minister, announced formally that he wouldn't run for a St. John's seat.
CANADIAN PRESS
TRENTON — Conservative Leader Stephen Harper used a backdrop of grey-painted transport planes at a sprawling southern Ontario air base to promise more money and troops for the military today.
At a campaign stop just outside CFB Trenton, he said a Conservative government would immediately put $1.2 billion more into the defence budget and add 20,000 troops to the ranks.
It would beef up the army with tanks, give the navy hybrid helicopter carriers and provide upgraded CF-18 fighter-bombers and new transport planes.
"Our plan for the Canadian Armed Forces is both strategically necessary and economically affordable," he said.
The Forces now have an authorized strength of 60,000, but can only muster about 52,000 trained troops.
He said the transfusion won't remake the military overnight, but will start the rebuilding process.
Harper's defence promises came as he opened the second week of the campaign for the June 28 federal election.
The Liberals provided $600 million more for the military in the last budget and have promised more cash for new supply ships, among other projects. But they have also said that any major funding increase will have to await the findings of a defence and foreign policy review later this year.
The NDP immediately attacked Harper's defence-spending plan, saying he really wants a bigger army so Canada can join the U.S. in places such as Iraq.
"He's never seen an American war he didn't want Canada to join," the party said in a news release.
Harper planned to spend much of the week in southern and eastern Ontario, seeking to capitalize on the political fallout from the provincial Liberal budget.
Premier Dalton McGuinty's first budget imposed health care premiums and shattered his election promise of no new taxes without a referendum.
That left Prime Minister Paul Martin smarting, as people lashed out at the nearest Liberal — federal or otherwise.
Harper strategists say the Ontario budget fallout gives the federal Conservatives hope and a possible beachhead in Ontario.
The Tories may have lost a good chance in Newfoundland on Monday when John Crosbie, the razor-tongued former federal cabinet minister, announced formally that he wouldn't run for a St. John's seat.