Jack Layton on the military

NDP leader wants new approach in Afghanistan following soldier's death

Citing the rising costs - both human and financial - Layton said multibillion-dollar purchases of tanks and helicopters could have been avoided if the military was not engaged in a "search and destroy mission."

Is it really too much to ask? Is it possible that some day in Canada a member of the New Democratic Party can attain just a little more knowledge of the Canadian military than what they read in the five minute briefs created by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives?

The 2006 NDP Election Platform comes across somewhat light on military policy and plans. A search of the 52 page document reveals the following:

Military - mentioned 4 times, twice referring to the US Military
Canadian Forces - mentioned once
Troops - once
Navy - zero
Army - zero
Air Force - zero
Helicopters - zero
Search and Rescue - zero
Aircraft - zero
Ships - zero
Mobile Gun System - zero
MGS - zero
Armour - zero

... you get the picture.

Former NDP Defence Critic Bill Blaikie, commenting on then Prime Minister Paul Martin's new International Policy (19 Apr, 2005):

"Canada's military priorities must reflect the values of Canadians. That means equipping our forces to be peacekeepers and peacemakers around the world," said NDP Defence Critic Bill Blaikie.

What, pray tell, would they have CF members do all this peacekeeping and peacemaking with - sticks, stones and rubber bands?