Hub Podcasts Canada is a liability on the world stage—how can we change that?
Aug 13, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Sean Speer, The Hub's editor-at-large, dives into Canada's changing role on the global stage. He argues that the country has shifted from a leader to a liability, yet transformation is possible. Speer critiques economic nationalism, highlighting its potential pitfalls and the conflicts between free market principles and strategic competitiveness. The conversation also touches on the urgent need to bolster Canada's defense capabilities and the importance of a united approach with the U.S. for both security and economic stability.
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Canada's Military Decline Is Self-Inflicted
- Decades of neglect and over-reliance on allies left Canada's military atrophied and diminished on the world stage.
- Peter MacKay argues this decline turns Canada from a leader into a liability internationally.
Prioritize Troop Pay And Benefits
- Invest directly in people: raise pay, benefits, pensions, housing, and healthcare to improve recruitment and retention.
- Strengthen personnel support first before expecting large procurement and capability gains.
Use Procurement To Rebuild Industry
- Build a domestic defense industrial base by buying Canadian-made arms where practicable and supporting shipbuilding, trades, and maintenance capacity.
- Use procurement to sustain sovereign capabilities instead of letting them atrophy through foreign dependence.