Canada forges ahead on rebuilding the military despite low levels of public support

Stephen Harper's Conservative government has identified rebuilding the military as one of its top five priorities.

But many Canadians don't seem to agree.

CTV News, Nanos Research and the Institute for Research on Public Policy recently asked more than 1,200 Canadians to identify the most important of the five long-term goals listed on the prime minister's website.

Thirty-three per cent chose "cracking down on guns, gang and drug crime," which was the most popular answer in the survey.

Twenty-six per cent said "strengthening Canada's economic union", while 22 per cent picked "improving food and product safety regulations."

Only seven per cent believe "rebuilding the Canadian Armed Forces" should be the government's top priority.

Unaligned with the poll results, the Harper government has vowed to bolster defense spending.

The Tories are committed to new fighter jets, new navy and Canadian Coast Guard ships. They've even taken the top role in the world's current 'hot-spot' in Libya.

A recent study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives found military spending in Canada is expected to hit at least $22.3 billion this budget year, the highest since the Second World War and a 54 per cent increase in spending over the last decade.

The report also noted Canada is the 13th largest military spender in the world and has committed to pumping in an additional $90 billion over the next 17 years.

During the Conservative party convention in Ottawa earlier this month, Harper fortified his support for military spending as a necessary tool to "defend our national security and to help protect global security."

"The Conservative government's purpose is no longer just to go along and get along with everyone else's agenda. It is no longer to please every dictator with a vote at the United Nations," he said.

In a time of worldwide austerity, Canada is building its military might while other countries are cutting back.

One estimate found European defence spending dropped 15 per cent since the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on the U.S.

The U.K. is expected to cut its defence spending another eight per cent over the coming four years, and there are calls in the U.S. follow suit.

It may not be a priority for the people of Canada, but increasing its military might is certainly a goal of the current government.

(Reuters Photo)