THE WEST BLOCK
Episode 5, Season 11
Sunday, November 28, 2021
Host: Mercedes Stephenson
Company:
Normal Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Employees
Jagmeet Singh, NDP Chief
Location: Ottawa, ON
Mercedes Stephenson: This week on The West Block. It’s official: Admiral Artwork McDonald is out and Normal Wayne Eyre is in as Canada’s chief of the defence employees.
Anita Anand, Defence Minister: “I sit up for working very onerous with Normal Eyre.”
Mercedes Stephenson: With a brand new defence minister and a mandate to vary army tradition, what does the long run seem like for the Canadian Armed Forces? We sit down with the chief of the defence employees.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: “Whereas Conservatives attempt to rating low cost political factors, we’re targeted on Canadians.”
Mercedes Stephenson: Parliament is again in session and the Opposition is again, too, taking intention on the authorities’s priorities.
Pierre Poilievre, Conservative MP: “It’s ‘Justinflation.’”
Mercedes Stephenson: With rising costs from groceries to housing, ought to Ottawa be doing extra to deal with the price of dwelling?
Jagmeet Singh, NDP Chief: “Individuals can not discover a residence that’s of their finances.”
Mercedes Stephenson: We discuss options with NDP Chief Jagmeet Singh.
It’s Sunday, November 28th, and that is The West Block.
Howdy and thanks for becoming a member of us at this time. I’m Mercedes Stephenson.
For the previous 9 months, the Canadian Armed Forces have struggled with a sexual misconduct scandal that has rocked the establishment and calls for an enormous cultural shift. The query has been who can lead that shift. And with the brand new defence minister in place, the prime minister has additionally named Normal Wayne Eyre as his chosen chief of the defence employees. Normal Eyre joins me now.
Welcome Normal Eyre. We spoke to you earlier than because the appearing chief of the defence employees. You are actually truly the chief of the defence employees. Final time I noticed you, you instructed me you didn’t need this job however right here you’re.
Normal Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Employees: Effectively, I’m unsure anyone would wish to have this set of circumstances, Mercedes, however I’m honoured to have been chosen for this place and I’ll do one of the best that I can for members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the folks of Canada, as a result of that is an extremely necessary establishment for our nation.
Mercedes Stephenson: What makes you the best particular person to guide this transformation?
Normal Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Employees: Effectively I don’t essentially imagine that I’m the best particular person, and never one single particular person goes to have the ability to make the change that’s required, as a result of it’s going to take a collective. Not one particular person has all of the solutions for what we have to do and we’ve acquired to hunt these options from wherever they could come from. And for day-after-day that I proceed to put on this uniform, I’m going to attempt to make this establishment higher.
Mercedes Stephenson: You say you will not be the best particular person. I do know you from a few years in command. You’re a humble man. Is that what you imply? Or what do you imply by you will not be the best particular person?
Normal Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Employees: Effectively what I imply is I shall be doing one of the best that I presumably can to enhance the Canadian Armed Forces every day so it continues to ship for the folks of Canada. I don’t have all of the solutions for what we’re dealing with and I’m keen to, and keen to hunt these options from wherever they could be.
Mercedes Stephenson: And I do know I’ve spoken with quite a few survivors of army sexual misconduct who have been fairly glad to see you within the job. They imagine, clearly, there have been errors made as there at all times are, however they assume that you just appear to have good intentions, to really attempt to create change and I wish to discuss to you about a few of these, together with how you choose the leaders, as a result of one of many issues recognized was there was poisonous management on the high and the army and the federal government themselves have talked about this, which suggests the method for selecting who leads folks and units the tone for the tradition was problematic. How do you select the best leaders going ahead that may lead this transformation past simply the chief’s workplace?
Normal Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Employees: So we’ve acquired a few initiatives underway. We’ve began with the final officer and flag officer choice this 12 months when it comes to including extra science to the method: psychometric testing, 360 suggestions classes the place subordinates have a voice within the choice within the willpower if any person’s going to go ahead, utilizing it as a device to determine potential flags. We’re introducing inclusivity as a key determinant. So how will we measure—how will we assess inclusivity in any respect ranges as properly, as a result of for my part, as we have a look at tradition change, that’s one of many key facets we have now to take a look at. We’ve acquired some glorious facets of our tradition, you already know the willingness to be a part of one thing greater, the willingness to place oneself in hurt’s approach, the willingness to serve selflessly, to go away your loved ones behind to go abroad and do nice issues, however it’s the exclusionary facets of our tradition that should be mounted. So how will we incentivize it? How will we assess it on the lowest ranges is a vital step going ahead.
Mercedes Stephenson: There’s a class motion lawsuit settlement that’s going ahead. It closed just some days in the past for claims. There have been virtually 19 thousand people who got here ahead. Not whole claims, however people making claims. Did that quantity shock you, the scope?
Normal Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Employees: I have a look at it from quite a few completely different views. So firstly, the scope speaks to the depth of the difficulty that we have now to face going again traditionally however presently as properly. The massive variety of folks going ahead additionally speaks to their willingness to do this, which ought to make us glad that they’re keen to do this, realizing in fact, that the act of even coming ahead can re-traumatize some. I believe it’s additionally necessary to note—to notice that the most recent stats I’ve seen, 42 per cent are males and that speaks to this not being only a girl’s situation. It’s a problem for all of us to deal with. It’s a problem of energy dynamics as properly that talk to a component that we have now to repair.
Mercedes Stephenson: I’ve the identical quantity and lots of people discuss this as a girls’s situation, however it actually goes to that truth: 42 per cent of the claimants being male. Actually larger than I believe plenty of of us anticipated or talked about and that deeper institutional situation. One of many issues that you’ve got additionally talked about is that you just’re dropping folks over this. You’re having particularly management across the NCO rank who’ve been in for 15, 20 years, numerous expertise deciding to say, you already know what? I’m simply going to get out. I don’t like how this establishment seems, and it’s truly affecting you probably, operationally. How do you persuade these folks to remain in? And the way severe are the losses that you just’re sustaining proper now?
Normal Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Employees: So I’m at all times involved about these mid-level ranks and their retention as a result of we’ve invested expertise. We’ve invested abilities. We’ve invested coaching in them. So sure, I’m involved as a result of they’re the guts of our group. The flexibility to make the mandatory adjustments resides at that degree, so we want focused retention. We have to encourage people who we’ve invested in to remain, and plenty of it’s altering these facets of our tradition which are driving them out as a result of they’re the long run.
Mercedes Stephenson: Admiral Artwork McDonald was the chief of the defence employees. He’s who you needed to take over from. There was the extraordinary state of affairs the place truly had two chiefs of the defence employees and this letter that he wrote saying that primarily he was the rightful particular person and needs to be in cost. Prime Minister says he’s misplaced confidence in Artwork McDonald. You’re the chief of the defence employees, however Admiral McDonald is definitely nonetheless within the army and also you do have the power to take administrative motion towards him regardless that prison fees weren’t laid. Is that one thing you’re wanting into?
Normal Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Employees: What has occurred is between Admiral McDonald and the federal government. I’ve intentionally stored myself at arm’s size from that course of and he’s indicated that he’s releasing from the army so that may unfold.
Mercedes Stephenson: So does that imply that you just’re not wanting into any type of administration motion regarding the allegations of sexual misconduct?
Normal Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Employees: Not at this level.
Mercedes Stephenson: Okay. I additionally wish to discuss to you in regards to the work that the Canadian Armed Forces are doing within the flooding throughout Canada. It’s loads. How are you doing when it comes to the belongings you might have, when it comes to the variety of folks and capabilities to maintain up with the calls for that you’re dealing with with these growing pure disasters?
Normal Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Employees: Effectively that’s a priority of mine, Mercedes. We’re seeing a rise in frequency and depth of pure disasters due to local weather change. It’s growing the draw upon the Canadian Armed Forces. We additionally need to do not forget that when the folks of Canada are in want, that turns into our primary operational precedence. So proper now, as you talked about, we’re deployed to British Columbia. We’re taking our duties from the province. The province at this level is pleased with the variety of sources we’ve put on the market with our land job pressure and with our air job pressure. We’ve acquired someplace within the neighbourhood of 600 folks on the bottom targeted on this. If the state of affairs deteriorates, we’ve acquired extra on standby to usher in. Likewise on the east coast, as we converse, we’ve acquired air belongings which are transferring on the market, attempting to get by the climate to get to the folks of Newfoundland to assist out as properly. as at all times, we have now troops on standby in each area to cope with these home emergencies, however I’m involved with the growing demand on our armed forces and what it’s doing for our readiness. And as we sit up for the long run and designing the Canadian Armed Forces of the long run, we have now to do this with an understanding is what would be the function and expectation of our armed forces going ahead?
Mercedes Stephenson: And it looks as if that function is altering with the pandemic as properly. I’ve a query for you that I’ve gotten from some of us who’re in uniform. They’re unvaccinated and so they don’t wish to be vaccinated. They’re not clear on what the long run holds for them and a few of assume they could be dishonourably discharged from the Canadian Forces in the event that they don’t settle for the COVID-19 vaccine. What’ the case there?
Normal Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Employees: Effectively we’ve been very clear when it comes to the executive motion we’re going to take and when it comes to measures resulting in launch from the Canadian Armed Forces. However I wish to be very clear with you as properly. I don’t perceive why any person who indicators up places the uniform on, when our operations are predicated on teamwork, why somebody would willingly put others in danger by not getting vaccinated, willingly put teammates in danger. So we’re not capable of make use of these people. We’re not capable of make use of them operationally. We’re not capable of transfer them across the nation. So for my part, even when we’re in need of numbers, we want these which are employable.
Mercedes Stephenson: My final query for you is the one I at all times wish to ask folks in safety positions: What’s the menace to Canada that retains you awake at evening?
Normal Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Employees: There are numerous threats that maintain me awake at evening, Mercedes. We’re seeing a deteriorating world safety state of affairs the place geopolitically it’s most likely extra harmful now than it has been because the finish of the Chilly Conflict. With world reordering, it’s extra advanced as a result of it’s multi-polar versus bi-polar. We’re seeing elevated exercise within the Arctic, the specter of local weather change in fact, we see unfold day-after-day. Not simply when it comes to pure disasters however inhabitants migrations as properly and what battle which will spur. Technological acceleration and we see potential adversaries investing in some very excessive tech, very succesful capabilities. We see the continued proliferation of violent extremist organizations and extremist ideology not simply abroad however right here in our personal nation as properly. In our personal nation and certainly in all liberal democracies, we’re seeing a polarization of societies. We’re seeing conventional liberal democratic establishments beneath growing menace. So, combine that altogether, it’s a really harmful world on the market and we’re going to see the Canadian Armed Forces known as upon increasingly. Canada’s going to want us in contrast to ever earlier than, that’s why fixing our tradition that may underpin our operational effectiveness going into this far more harmful world, is crucial proper now.
Mercedes Stephenson: You talked about the geopolitical state of affairs, so I simply need to ask you particularly about China and your issues there.
Normal Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Employees: Effectively we’re seeing China changing into more and more aggressive, attempting to impose its world view on a lot of its neighbours. Upend, the foundations based mostly worldwide order, that’s acquired to be a priority. That’s acquired to be a priority for a lot of. So defending that guidelines based mostly worldwide order that has served the globe so properly over the past seven a long time has acquired to be a precedence.
Mercedes Stephenson: Normal Eyre, thanks a lot for becoming a member of us at this time. We respect your time and congratulations on the brand new job.
Normal Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Employees: Effectively thanks, Mercedes. Thanks for the chance to talk.
Mercedes Stephenson: Up subsequent, we’ll converse to NDP Chief Jagmeet Singh in regards to the rising inflation charge in Canada and price of dwelling. He says creating extra inexpensive housing is one resolution.
[Break]
Mercedes Stephenson: Welcome again. I’m positive you don’t want anybody to let you know the price of dwelling goes up. When you’ve gone to the grocery retailer, or crammed up your car, or made a mortgage or lease cost not too long ago, you felt the ache of rising inflation. Canada’s inflation charge jumped to an 18 12 months excessive final month at 4.7 per cent.
Right here’s how a few of that breaks down in day-after-day fundamentals. Meat costs have spiked, with rooster and floor beef costing 7 and eight per cent greater than they did right now final 12 months. There’s much less ache for some meals like apples, which have elevated by virtually 2 per cent, however shopping for a house continues to get pricier, too. The price of housing has shot up by 18 per cent within the final 12 months alone.
Becoming a member of me now’s Jagmeet Singh, Chief of the NDP. It’s so good to see you in-person right here on the set. Welcome again to The West Block.
Jagmeet Singh, NDP Chief: I do know. It’s been a very long time. It’s an important honour to be again in-person.
Mercedes Stephenson: And, you already know, as we transfer out of the pandemic and we get to begin to do interviews like this once more, plenty of of us are nonetheless actually struggling and so they’re scuffling with the fundamentals. And I do know you have been speaking about this on Parliament Hill all final week. I imply the value of fuel by the roof. Attempting to pay for housing or for lease, terribly costly—individuals are being priced out of the neighbourhoods they reside in, the fundamentals, together with meals going by the roof. What because the NDP chief, will you be pushing for in Parliament when it comes to sensible options to assist folks with how costly the fundamentals of life now are?
Jagmeet Singh, NDP Chief: Effectively first simply acknowledge it’s actually powerful proper now for lots of people. They’re popping out of the pandemic and we’re nonetheless in it, however there’s plenty of uncertainty and there’s been plenty of fear already, and now on high of that, the price of dwelling is simply going up so excessive.
One of many issues that’s the largest burden, I believe, is the housing. So whether or not it’s renting or proudly owning, that appears to be the largest driver of the price of dwelling going up. There are two issues we have to do round in terms of housing and the price of dwelling when it’s about lease. We’ve acquired two pressures. There’s hypothesis driving up the price of housing. We are able to deal with that with instruments on the federal degree. After which we have to put more cash into constructing extra inexpensive houses, and the federal authorities can play a stronger function on these two issues.
Mercedes Stephenson: So what does that cash on the extra inexpensive houses seem like? Are you attempting to place in additional density? Are you placing cash straight into peoples’ pockets? Are you creating authorities subsidy applications? What would the NDP plan be for that?
Jagmeet Singh, NDP Chief: A few various things. One is we all know there’s plenty of municipalities which have tasks which are able to go however they will’t entry the funds. I’ve spoken with plenty of mayors who say we’ve acquired tasks, we’ve acquired land, however we want partnerships to have the funds in order that we are able to develop them. In order that’s one space.
We all know there are federal lands in numerous municipalities throughout the nation that might be shifted or developed into inexpensive housing. There’s simply the CMAC was once used extra successfully in constructing cooperative housing and not-for-profit housing. So these are some long-term options. After which instantly, we have to see pressures on overseas consumers, on property flipping. These are driving up the price of housing to an unsustainable degree. And so these are issues that the federal authorities can use our tax code to restrict in order that we’re not seeing such a skyrocketing price for housing.
Mercedes Stephenson: There’s additionally an absence of provide which we have been speaking about and that does take a while to repair, particularly whenever you’re nonetheless constructing with COVID restrictions. These are long run options and I believe there’s—simply listening to our viewers—a way of frustration typically from of us that they really feel politicians are out of contact, that they don’t go to the shop themselves in plenty of circumstances and purchase a loaf of bread, or refill their very own automobile with fuel. Are you aware how a lot these issues price if I have been to ask you, you already know, what’s the value of fuel? What’s the value of a loaf of bread? Are politicians out of contact on this?
Jagmeet Singh, NDP Chief: No, these are issues that I’m frequently—I cook dinner in the home so it will be tougher if you happen to requested another person within the household. However for me, I’m the one which does plenty of the grocery buying and cooking and so I see the prices of bread and the price of groceries going up. I understand how powerful it’s. And what I’m seeing can be that the largest pressures are actually in housing. That appears to be the largest disaster that we’re up towards outdoors of the pandemic is housing. And that’s the place individuals are telling me actually heartbreaking tales of not with the ability to discover a residence, not with the ability to lease a spot. It’s actually impacting folks from all walks of life. We’ve acquired individuals who acquired good jobs, they will’t discover housing. People who have low-income or no earnings; it’s actually a problem that impacts all Canadians.
Mercedes Stephenson: Fuel and groceries, although, are additionally very costly and so they’re issues that Canadians are involved about. I imply so as to eat, and I do know you’re a giant proponent of well being, to eat wholesome is getting actually costly for issues like contemporary produce and meats, and that’s a product of worldwide provide chains in some circumstances which are breaking down, COVID protocols in China. How can the federal government or the NDP supporting the federal government, do one thing about these points that appear to be affecting a number of international locations, together with one as highly effective as the USA?
Jagmeet Singh, NDP Chief: Once we have a look at the price of dwelling, we have a look at the issues that we are able to management straight away. We all know that there are plenty of prices which are the topic of provide chain and are harder to have direct management over, however there are plenty of issues that Canadians pay for that they shouldn’t need to pay for. The price of medicine is one thing that plenty of Canadians need to wrestle with. We must always have common pharmacare program in place. The price of little one care is one thing that we see some steps being taken, however we are able to actually push to make life extra inexpensive for households that wish to make that selection. I’ll be a dad fairly quickly and I do know that’s a…
Mercedes Stephenson: Congratulations.
Jagmeet Singh, NDP Chief: Thanks. That’s a giant fear on plenty of peoples’ minds. There are lot of issues the place the federal authorities might be a extra lively participant in offering assist so these prices, these every day prices for households are introduced all the way down to offset a number of the different prices which are tougher to cope with when it comes to provide chain.
Mercedes Stephenson: Some economists say that they assume the elevated authorities spending may very well be contributing to inflation as a result of there’s more cash on the market and pent up shopper demand due to the pandemic. The NDP is normally in favour of extra authorities spending. What are your ideas on the likelihood that that spending may truly exacerbate issues?
Jagmeet Singh, NDP Chief: We checked out what was occurring within the pandemic and we noticed the Okay-shaped restoration taking place. And the Okay-shaped restoration was when people who find themselves struggling, people who find themselves working class, for them issues acquired worse and worse and tougher and tougher. Those that had numerous cash noticed alternatives to make more cash and we noticed inequality enhance. With none investments from authorities to assist folks, we might have seen that hole widen. And we already noticed it widen even with the helps. So I can’t settle for a future the place we see increasingly inequality, that means employees and households which are attempting to get by, have a tougher and tougher time whereas these on the very high proceed to profit and change into richer and richer.
Mercedes Stephenson: However does that imply that you’re involved about extra authorities spending probably inflaming inflation or not?
Jagmeet Singh, NDP Chief: I have a look at when individuals are in want of assist, our focus needs to be on getting that monetary assist to folks. That’s the easiest way to return out of a troublesome time versus slicing the assistance that folks want, will solely exacerbate the inequalities. So I’m a agency believer in helps to individuals who want it most, however there are plenty of examples of rich corporations that took public cash that didn’t must, that abused the system and I’d focus our consideration on ensuring they paid again their inappropriate use of funds and we invested within the individuals who want it most.
Mercedes Stephenson: Are you involved that a number of the pandemic helps which are there and are ongoing could be contributing to the labour scarcity?
Jagmeet Singh, NDP Chief: In no way. Proper now, the pandemic helps have been minimize off however they have been $1,200 a month on the final section. $1,200 a month is much lower than minimal wage even. If that amount of cash is precluding somebody from working, then we don’t have a assist drawback. We’ve acquired a fundamental wage drawback and other people aren’t incomes an honest dwelling. We’ve heard some stories of some eating places and another enterprise house owners saying one of many options is if you happen to give folks good pay and good hours, you’ll get good employees.
Mercedes Stephenson: There’s plenty of concern as properly in regards to the Canada-U.S. relationship round Purchase America, the auto pact. Individuals noticed Trump exit and thought, “Oh, we’ve acquired President Biden now. We’re going to have a pleasant president,” friendlier maybe to Canada but in addition protectionist in a approach that would hurt Canadian pursuits. What do you assume needs to be carried out to make sure that Canadian auto makers are usually not harmed by American protectionist insurance policies? How do you progress ahead on this?
Jagmeet Singh, NDP Chief: We’d like an exemption for Canadian made merchandise. It’s actually clear our provide chains are so interlinked that when one thing is made in Canada, it’s one thing that’s been produced with plenty of American enter and our items circulation forwards and backwards. So what we want is an exemption for Canadian merchandise. It’s clear that our economies are so interlinked that supporting or permitting for Canadian merchandise to be throughout the Purchase America would nonetheless encourage Canadian and American jobs and there needs to be an exemption.
Mercedes Stephenson: Final query. We heard the throne speech on Tuesday. I assumed you could be a bit of bit extra smitten by it, given your previous assist for the Liberal authorities. Is the NDP going to vote in favour of it or not?
Jagmeet Singh, NDP Chief: Effectively previously, we’ve each voted for a throne speech in 2019, and towards—or towards in 2019 and for in 2020. So we’ve mentioned to the Liberals, and we are saying this brazenly, that they shouldn’t take our assist with no consideration on any invoice or any movement. We wish to make it possible for it’s going to assist Canadians and we wish to see an openness to work with us, to make this Parliament work within the pursuits of Canadians. So, to this point, this throne speech doesn’t sound like one which’s targeted on the wants of individuals or the urgencies of individuals.
Mercedes Stephenson: However to this point, I imply we noticed the entire throne speech, so is {that a} sure or a no?
Jagmeet Singh, NDP Chief: Effectively what we’ve seen is a sign from the Liberals that they don’t have a need to this point to work with us. They’ve indicated that in that throne speech, main issues that we want: a housing disaster, there’s not the urgency required to cope with it; on well being care, no pharmacare or dental care. A number of the key issues that we wish to see occur are usually not in that and in order that’s not a throne speech that signifies to us, to this point at this level that they wish to work collectively.
Mercedes Stephenson: So except you get sure requirement, like pharmacare, it’s a no.
Jagmeet Singh, NDP Chief: Effectively except we see a willingness to unravel a number of the issues that individuals are going by, we’ll have a look at that after which rethink. However to this point, this doesn’t seem like a need to essentially work with us.
Mercedes Stephenson: NDP Chief Jagmeet Singh, thanks for becoming a member of us at this time, sir.
Jagmeet Singh, NDP Chief: Thanks.
Mercedes Stephenson: We’ll be proper again after the break.
[Break]
Mercedes Stephenson: And that’s our present for at this time. Thanks a lot for watching. However earlier than we go, we wish to go away you with photographs of the Canadian Armed Forces on the bottom in B.C.
Greater than 500 troops have been deployed to assist the province with flood reduction. Because the Mayor of Princeton mentioned, having the army present up is a large morale increase.
Troops are additionally anticipated to deploy to Newfoundland and Labrador, to assist with flooding in that province.
Because of our men and women in uniform for all they do for Canadians in these floods.
For The West Block, I’m Mercedes Stephenson.
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