It is true that Canada has a relatively small and obselete military, but the problem (from a military point of view) is that most Canadians don’t want to hear about increased military spending if it implies cutting in health care or other social services.
The population’s mindset on military issues is of course very different in Canada. For one, their is basically zero pride in our Armed Forces nor is their much recognition by the public. So, the military kinda has a hard time justifying itself, whereas in the States there is pride in behind the first military power in the world, having the most state of the art technoligies and you get respect from a large part of the population.
There was a very large flood in the Saguenay region in 1996.
''For two days in July 1996, torrential rains pounded the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec and caused the worst flood in the province’s history. The floodwaters were so powerful they swept away a whole shopping complex, ripped apart homes and buried cars under mud. Scientists said it was a natural disaster likely to happen once every 10,000 years. The government called it “an act of God.” Two hundred and ninety millimetres of rainfall fell in less than 36 hours and caused an estimated $1 billion in damages in the region and at least 10 deaths. Thousands of homes, roads and bridges were washed out and there were downed power lines. A total of 15 825 people had to leave their homes. At least 20 major bridges were heavily damaged. More than 50 towns and villages were inundated, or main roads destroyed and electricity cut off. Aluminum plants and paper mills slowed or closed for a month. At least 3200 industry workers were idled and three schools were closed. The Canadian Red Cross sent 1600 volunteers to set up a temp office and evacuate people. Overall, they assisted 16 000 people.
‘’ There were some 10 deaths. Still some of the videos were freakin’ impressive.
In 1997, there was the ‘‘Flood of the Century’’ in Manitoba. On May 7 at Emerson, on the Manitoba-U.S. border, the river was 30 kilometres wide. The entire flood area covered 2000 square kilometres, including 200 000 hectares of farmland, about five per cent of the entire province?s farmland. Two thousand cattle and 45 000 laying hens were evacuated. As well, 22 000 people from rural areas and towns were evacuated, over 6000 from Winnipeg. Military help included 8,500 soldiers.
There also was the Ice Storm of 1998, in my city we lost power for some 30 odd days and had police and military presence.
So we very, very rarely get the kinds of floods or natural disasters that the US gets. Also there were none of the associated problems that were seen in NO, at least not to the extent of being mentioned on the News.
Maybe Canadians are more docile than Americans, when the police/military says ‘‘Go home, its curfew.’’ you go home and when they say ‘‘Get the Hell out!’’ you get the Hell out (usually they’re pretty nice.) Just throwing it out there.
And Yeah, Canada is America’s bitch and I LIKE IT!
AlexH.