General Wayne Eyre, nearing the end of his tenure as Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, isn’t mincing words when it comes to the country’s military preparedness. In an interview aired on The West Block, Eyre emphasized the need for Canada to step up its game in the face of growing global challenges.
Eyre expressed cautious optimism about the current trajectory of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), pointing to increased defense spending and improvements in recruitment. However, he stressed that progress is still too slow to meet the emerging threats effectively.
“Security threats are knocking on our door,” Eyre warned, highlighting issues such as foreign interference, climate change impacts on Arctic security, and the rise of aggressive global powers like Russia and China. He called on Canadians to shed any lingering naivety about national security, citing Canada’s historically isolated position protected by oceans and a neighboring superpower.
“We’re no longer insulated from global threats,” Eyre stated bluntly. “We need to be ready.”
Reflecting on Canada’s military history, Eyre criticized what he termed as periods of unpreparedness due to prolonged peace after the Cold War. He underscored the urgency of adopting a long-term perspective in defense planning, echoing concerns about recent military buildups by major powers.
Eyre emphasized the importance of enhancing deterrence capabilities to prevent great power conflicts, stressing Canada’s commitment to alliances like NATO. However, he acknowledged Canada’s ongoing struggle to meet NATO’s defense spending targets, despite recent pledges to increase funding.
Looking ahead to his successor, Eyre emphasized the critical role of providing timely advice to the government amidst increasing global crises. He expressed readiness to pass on his accumulated insights and strategies to whoever assumes leadership next.
As Eyre prepares to retire later this summer, his parting message to Canada is clear: bolstering military readiness must remain a top priority in an increasingly uncertain world.