4. Military Spending
Given that: the Department of National Defence (DND) budget was increased in 1999 and 2000, despite being the largest departmental budget, and that the Auditor General's fall report criticizes the Government for failing to inform Parliamentarians fully about Canada's military capabilities, making it impossible for them to assess the department's budgetary needs,
will you, if elected, advocate that DND's budget receive no further increases until there is full disclosure and a public review of military spending priorities and the role of the Canadian Armed Forces?
Background: DND has the largest budget of any federal government department. In 2000 it will spend $11 billion.
Canada's military spending in "real dollars" (adjusted for inflation) is higher today than it was in 1980 despite the end of the Cold War. Foreign aid , meanwhile, absorbed deep cuts - about 40 percent in real terms between 1980 and 2000.
Military officials continue to lobby for even more money. The extra 3-year allocation received by DND in 2000 shows the government is listening.
Yet, a recent Angus Reid poll showed that Canadians ranked military spending as their lowest priority. Health, education and social program spending were identified as Canadians' highest priorities.