Because it is anathema to many Canadians , this writer and others fail to bring up the key fact of the destruction of our sovereign defense capabilities over the last 50 years. We now punch much less where it matters than smaller coutries such as Norway or Sweden. The fact that Sweden builds fighter jets, missiles and submarines, amongst others, does not mean it is a war-loving society or that they are incapable to succeed in other areas (Ikea, Ericsson, etc). It just means they have put a price on sovereignty, something Canadians are very happy to assume gets taken care by sending our valiant armed forces in conflict abroad. In fact much more is required, starting by federal government effective leadership in fostering such capabilities instead of resorting to buying foreign-made, second-hand equipment. It mostly means convincing the taxpayers that the alternative may be a Puerto-Rico like status. Dominion over our vast country and its resources will increasingly not be a free-ride.