The Canadian Forces:
Hard Choices, Soft Power

Joseph Jockel
The Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies, 1999
ISBN: 0-919769-91-8
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At the dawn of the twenty-first century, the Canadian foreign and defence policy activism is at its peak. Seldom have Canadians been so involved in so many aspects of international relations. From combat operations and peacekeeping to humanitarian relief and efforts to curb the use of anti-personnel landmines and under-age soldiers, Canadian troops and diplomats have been at the forefront of a broad-based approach to fostering international peace and security. But beneath these commendable initiatives lies a noticeable erosion in Canada's ability to sustain such efforts. In particular, the Canadian Forces (CF) are finding it almost impossible to match limited resources to unceasing demands.

"Throughout the 1990s, the men and women of the Canadian Forces have served cheerfully and with dedication in a wide variety of theatres and on a bewildering array of missions. Their efforts have purchased praise for Canada out of all proportion to their numbers. Dr. Jockel illustrates how their dwindling numbers and resources have case doubt on their ability to undertake tasks that successive governments (and the wider Canadian public) have come to take for granted."
From the Foreword by David Rudd, President and Executive Director, CISS

"Jockel does not fail to mention the internal professional failings that led to the CF's tattered image in the 1990s... He nevertheless does place the responsibility for the depleted state of the Canadian Forces (and any hope of improvement) exactly where it belongs -- at the feet of the Federal Government. Inadequate funding will allow the CF's capabilities to further dwindle, and more Defence White Paper promises to go unfulfilled.

The Canadian Forces: Hard Choices, Soft Power is an extremely worthwhile read for anyone even moderately interested in defence policy , the Canadian Forces, and national sovereignty."
LGen Richard Evraire (Retd)

Joseph T. Jockel is Professor of Canadian Studies at St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York. While preparing this study during the 1998-99 academic year, he was a Visiting Scholar in the International Relations Programme of Trinity College, University of Toronto and a Senior Resident of Massey College.