How Carney Can Get You to Serve in the Military

Aug 11, 2025

Wesley Wark, a defence and security analyst and former national security advisor to Stephen Harper, discusses the challenges facing the Canadian Armed Forces. He highlights the urgent need for military modernization and effective recruitment strategies in a culture that often prioritizes individualism. Wark questions whether Mark Carney’s ambitious nation-building plans can overcome public skepticism and attract investment. The conversation also touches on Canada’s defense commitments amid rising geopolitical tensions, particularly with Russia.

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ANECDOTE

Filming Fighter Pilot School

Bruce Thorson filmed fighter pilot training at Cold Lake for the documentary Jetstream.
He attended classes but wasn't a pilot, documenting training through to graduation.

ANECDOTE

Cowboy TV Culture vs Military Service

Bruce argues Discovery-style 'cowboy' shows glamorize individuality and undermine military appeal.
He suggests audiences prefer rule-breakers over disciplined service heroes.

INSIGHT

Latvia Deployment Exposed Equipment Gaps

Wark says Canada's forces deployed to Latvia lacked key equipment like drones and air defense.
He highlights an erosion of capability requiring urgent rearmament.

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Mark Carney is nation building. To do that, he needs to rebuild the Canadian Armed Forces. Between decades of neglect and the forces’ own goals by way of bad headlines that’s no mean feat.

Rebuilding the military, from new recruits to new fighter planes, will take more than promising government money. There’s a pitch that needs to be made to the Canadian public and partnerships to be forged with the private sector for investment.

So how will the Prime Minister convince the Canadian public and private investors to rebuild the embattled Canadian Armed Forces? Are Carney’s nation-building plans the new National Dream or just national daydreaming?

Professor Wesley Wark, defence and security analyst and former national security and intelligence advisor to Stephen Harper, joins us today.

Host: Bruce Thorson (Reporter, Senior Producer)

Caleb Thompson (Mixing & Master), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)

Fact checking by Julian Abraham

Trumpet by: Tristan Capacchione

Additional music by Audio Network

Further Reading

Wesley Wark Substack

Liberals Spending $2B to Boost Military Pay - CBC

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