How to Save Canada

Let’s not mince words: Canada is at a breaking point. The economy is faltering, addiction and homelessness are rising sharply, and our relationship with the United States is strained like never before. At home, we face a housing crisis, an overwhelmed healthcare system, and economic paralysis stemming from an inability to train workers for the jobs needed to correct course. Abroad, signs of looming conflict in multiple theaters for NATO—possibly even World War III—are unmistakable. A war Canada is ill-prepared to assist in effectively, let alone lead.

To rise to this challenge, we must embrace real change and reimagine the role of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in our society. The peacetime and reservist functions of the CAF can be expanded to include vital public service projects—such as building essential housing and infrastructure, bolstering border security, and operating addiction recovery field hospitals—all while offering Canadians a lifeline out of poverty and toward education and prosperity.

By doing this, we can also strengthen our ability to support NATO and restore Canada’s reputation on the world stage. It’s time to take back our national identity and sense of purpose. Anything less, and we might as well take Trump up on his half-jest to become the 51st state.

Tackling the Housing Crisis with the CAF

Canada urgently needs affordable housing, but the private sector cannot realistically meet this demand due to a lack of skilled labor in construction and infrastructure.

The solution? Transform the CAF into a hub for field engineering education, training Canadians to tackle these challenges head-on. The CAF is already equipped with engineering and logistics talent—what we need now is funding to expand those capabilities and a directive to apply these skills domestically.

CAF engineers could collaborate with municipalities to build the necessary infrastructure, deploy modular housing units, and connect them to local utilities. This approach is the fastest and most cost-effective way to address the housing affordability crisis—not by replacing private homebuilding, but by ensuring a baseline standard of housing for our youth and most vulnerable populations.

The economic ripple effects would be transformative. By investing in Canadian workers and communities, we would see a direct injection of funds into local economies. Unlike overseas projects or profits siphoned into corporate ledgers, this spending would circulate multiple times, rejuvenating regions across the nation.

Combating Addiction with Recovery Hospitals

The addiction crisis is tearing apart the social fabric of Canada, with neighborhoods overwhelmed by crime, random violence, and open drug use. This is not a municipal issue—it’s a national disaster, and it’s time we treated it as such.

The CAF can assist provincial healthcare systems by establishing temporary field addiction recovery hospitals. Located outside major cities and away from the influence of drug dealers, these facilities would provide a serene and secure environment for detox, counseling, and rehabilitation. Military police could partner with the RCMP to ensure safety, while also creating a career pathway for CAF members after their service.

These hospitals would also serve as vocational training hubs for nurses, doctors, and counselors—fields where Canada desperately needs more skilled professionals. By offering service-based education contracts, we can incentivize healthcare workers to remain in Canada while building the capacity to respond to this crisis. Strategically placed field hospitals could even double as emergency service hubs for rural communities, addressing another critical healthcare gap.

Securing Our Borders

Canada’s border with the United States is the longest in the world, but it remains vulnerable to illegal drug trafficking, firearms smuggling, and unregulated migration. These issues undermine our sovereignty, fuel domestic crime, and strain our relationship with our most important ally, the United States.

Empowering the CAF to patrol the border with modern technology, including drones, would be a game-changer. Unlike the RCMP, the military is equipped to deploy and manage this technology efficiently. Shifting the burden of border security to the CAF allows the RCMP to focus on its primary mandate: policing communities.

A secure border is not just a national defense issue—it’s a statement of our commitment to upholding law, order, and the trust of our allies.

Free Education Through Service: A Path Out of Poverty

An expanded CAF mission requires an expanded force, and recruitment will only succeed if we offer Canadians meaningful opportunities. Education for service is the key.

By offering tuition-free education in exchange for several years of service, the CAF can address two pressing issues simultaneously: the rising cost of education and the lack of skilled workers in Canada. This initiative would bypass the already overburdened post-secondary system, providing immediate vocational training in fields such as engineering, healthcare, and technology.

After completing their service, CAF members would enter the civilian workforce with valuable skills, ready to contribute to the private sector and the broader economy. Countries like the United States (through the GI Bill) and Israel (via mandatory service) have successfully implemented similar programs. Canada can follow suit, creating a win-win solution that uplifts individuals and strengthens the nation.

Preparing for Global Uncertainty

While we rebuild our military and economy at home, we cannot ignore the growing threats abroad. The war in Ukraine, rising tensions in the South China Sea, and the surge in cyberattacks all point to an era of increased global instability. A third world war is no longer unthinkable—it is a possibility we must prepare for.

Canada’s lack of defense spending has drawn criticism from NATO allies, and our inability to secure even our own Arctic territories is a glaring vulnerability. To reclaim our credibility, we must restore the CAF to combat readiness. Modernizing our equipment, expanding our ranks, and reengaging in peacekeeping operations would demonstrate that Canada is ready to meet its international obligations.

This isn’t just about defense—it’s about leadership. A combat-ready CAF signals to the world that Canada is a nation capable of protecting its interests and upholding the principles of democracy and freedom.

Investing in Canada’s Future

Reimagining the CAF is not just about bolstering national security—it’s about building a stronger, more prosperous Canada. By directing military spending toward domestic projects, we ensure that every dollar benefits Canadians. The ripple effects will reduce long-term costs associated with homelessness, addiction, and social disorder while revitalizing communities and restoring public confidence.

Furthermore, stabilizing our society through housing, healthcare, and border security will attract international investors who have been wary of Canada’s growing instability. The CAF, once the pride of Canada’s peacekeeping legacy, can lead this charge—not just as a defense force but as a nation-building institution.

The question is no longer whether we can afford to expand the role of the CAF. It’s whether we can afford not to.

This is Canada’s moment to act. Let’s seize it!