As you put it Wayne
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...our military forces are in a mess.Underfunding,outdated /inadequite equipment,lack of interest/concern by our goverment,etc.has made our once powerful forces,[small but mighty], a laughing stock,but,yet, still respected
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, our forces has it's challenges - I will save my counterpoint to your outdated equipment comment for later.
On this issue, we can't blame the neighbours if we leave the back door wide open, don't take care of our property, or don't have the pride to protect what is rightfully ours. Sooner or later someone is going to wonder in - and in this case, our friends to the south are checking to see what goodies are available for the taking. So, how did we get to this point?
The soft power crowd has, since the '60's, questioned the need for a military in Canada - "what is the threat to Canada?". Successive governments have been more than happy to let the 'merikans do the dirty work of defence of North America, and to some extent defence of the world thru NATO. Why now, is it a big surprise that the US considers our Arctic region "open". We've considered it that way since I can remember.
Solutions? The Liberals would probably send Maude Barlow to the states to wave her finger at them... that will definitely get the tanks rolling north...
The realists will note that we have three oceans and therefore we need a strong naval presence - to hell with the blue water crap, let's protect our interests. Three naval bases (Labrador, Ellesmere Island and Northern BC would be a good start). An all- weather all ice condition fleet should be the next item. Set up a proper airstrip - like the yanks have in Alaska - patrol the territory. Throw in at least a brigade of joint warfare soldiers into the mix, and at least we have a presence of note. Maybe even expand the northern resort of Alert into a real army base of operations...
Now for the kicker - make Canadians work up north. Welcome all new immigrants to Canada by sending them up north for at least five years, which would include two years of mandatory military service - if you ain't fit, you don't get in (I can hear the social engineers rubbing their Birkenstocks together whilst girding their loins and twisting their lentil-stained beards in anger over that one...).
The way I see it, one Cdn Ranger for every 50K sq miles just ain't cutting it sovereignty wise...
So folks, don't blame the neighbour for snooping around if you don't have a gate or fence, you don't guard your property, and you leave the door wide open...look in the mirror Canada, and if you really love this country DON'T VOTE LIBERAL!