Recent data from a Regina-based think tank shows that roughly one in eight Canadians are currently waiting for healthcare services across the country.

  • originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com
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    10 months ago

    can someone tell me why canada spends so much money on their military when they have the biggest asshole on the planet next door already in any actual threat’s way?

    i guess im wondering which odds are better… that you need that standing military or that humans need healthcare

    i have the same beef with the US, but im more familiar with that level of slime

    • DerisionConsulting@lemmy.ca
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      10 months ago

      NATO wants its members to spend 2% of their GDP on military, Canada normally hovers around 1%-1.5%.

      So we’re supposed to spend more, we just don’t.

      • Funderpants @lemmy.ca
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        10 months ago

        Supposed is a strong term considering NATO has never been able to turn that 2% target into a requirement.

      • nyan@lemmy.cafe
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        10 months ago

        As to whether we need that much . . . not for domestic defense. Or rather, we have so much land area and so little population that, if it came down to it, we likely wouldn’t be able to defend the country even if we put 100% of our budget into defense. Our best protection has always been (and is still, although global warming is starting to erode it) our climate. Leaving invaders to freeze to death is far more efficient than shooting them.

        • jerkface@lemmy.ca
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          10 months ago

          Last winter I ran at least once every single calendar week in shorts. Climate ain’t saving anyone.

    • Pyr_Pressure@lemmy.ca
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      10 months ago

      Trump has a decent chance at being elected next year.

      That’s why I want Canada to spend on defence.

      No amount that we spend will actually hinder the US if they do decide they want us but I hope we could make them regret it if they do.

      • originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com
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        10 months ago

        the united states spends more than the next 20 largest allied countries combined on its military.

        pretending that canada has a military that could do anything but lightly annoy the united states is just wishful thinking, and no the united states would never ‘want’ canada. we live in a post-colonial world. only actual dictators are invading other spaces.

        even if hell froze over and trump somehow won, he cant just go steaming around the planet without congressional authority. those guys can barely tie their shoes.