Canada: Military Spending and The National Security Establishment

January 14, 2012

Contents

Canada & Counter Terrorism

Military Spending in Canada: Message to the Protest Movement against the Ottawa CANSEC Arms Show GlobalResearch

Military spending is out of control in this country. While our social programs are inadequate, we still have joblessness, homelessness, and an appalling lack of justice for aboriginal communities, this government pumps billions into arms.

The Cost of 9/11: Tracking the Creation of a National Security Establishment in Canada Rideau Institute

Main Findings

1. Since 2000-01, the year before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States,
Canada has devoted an additional $92 billion ($69 billion inflation-adjusted) to national security
spending over and above the amount it would have spent had budgets remained in line with
pre–9/11 levels. This has created a new “national security establishment,” which includes the
departments of National Defence, Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Public Safety, Justice,
and related organizations such as the RCMP, CSIS, and the CBSA.

2. In this fiscal year, 2011-12, Canada will spend $34 billion on its national security, which is an
additional $17 billion ($13 billion inflation-adjusted) more than the amount it would have spent had
budgets remained in line with pre–9/11 levels. This is an increase of 105% (60% inflation-adjusted).

3. Military expenditures have nearly doubled (90%) since 9/11 (48% inflation-adjusted), and the
Department of National Defence is by far the largest consumer of national security expenditures,
at more than $21 billion this fiscal year.

4. Security and Public Safety programs have nearly tripled in spending, from $3 billion to almost
$9 billion annually ($3.9 billion to $8.7 billion inflation-adjusted), or 186% since 9/11
(123% inflation-adjusted).

Canada to revive anti-democratic “counter-terrorism” powers 14 January 2012 | wsws.org

According to the report, expenditure on CSIS has tripled, rising from $170 million in 2000-01 to $509 million in 2011-12. Expenditures at the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (formerly the Solicitor General) have quintupled in size since 2000-01 (290 percent inflation-adjusted), from $83 million in 2000-01 to $415 million currently. Overall, the cost of Security and Public Safety programs have nearly tripled in size, from $3.9 billion in inflation-adjusted dollars to $8.7 billion in the current fiscal year.

Canadian imperialism preparing for war in the Middle East 24 December 2011 | wsws.org

Harper says ‘Islamicism’ biggest threat to Canada: Prime minister says Conservatives will bring back controversial anti-terrorism laws

Architects of Canada’s anti-terror laws support Harper’s plan to revive measures

Canada Anti-Terrorism Laws: Harper Conservatives Will Reintroduce Controversial Measures

Tories considering expanding Anti-Terrorism Act to fill gaps in law