At this year’s World Peacekeeping Summit, Canadian Defence Minister, Harjit Sajjan, announced that “Canada is back,” offering up to 600 soldiers and 150 police to the UN Peacekeeping Force. He hopes to boost uniformed forces by 7,000 members, to 75,000. This might be difficult, as the Department of National Defence (DND) is experiencing retention problems, experiencing staff grievances similar to those of any large employer. The most common complaint is the lack of “geographic stability” for armed forces’ members and their families, followed by “job dissatisfaction,” low pay, inadequate benefits, and issues with senior level leadership. There may be inexpensive moves to motivate disgruntled defense staff, but in the end, the government may be forced to honour the 2014 commitment made by NATO allies to pay 2% of their GDP on defense, instead of the 1% they currently contribute. Respecting their needs as men and women may be a more powerful and less expensive staff motivator than restoring the $4 billion for new military equipment that has temporarily been withheld. Doing both would be ideal. Let’s put our money where our mouths are. Lest we forget. KG
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Upcoming Events
May4Sat20242:00 pm 11th Annual Red Pashmina Walk @ Emmanuel United Church11th Annual Red Pashmina Walk @ Emmanuel United ChurchMay 4 @ 2:00 pmAt 2 p.m. there will be a welcome and speakers, and the walk, begins at 3pm. Sponsored by the Peterborough chapter of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan. An Afghan family who fled Afghanistan in fear after the Taliban takeover, and who now reside in Peterborough, will be sharing their... Continue reading →May6Mon20249:00 am New To You Clothing Store @ New to You Clothing StoreNew To You Clothing Store @ New to You Clothing StoreMay 6 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pmOpen 9am to 3pm every Monday to Friday. Please consider donating good quality used clothing. Funds received from the sale of these items support local programs and services.May8Wed2024May10Fri20246:30 pm Game Night – May 2024 @ Bethany United ChurchGame Night – May 2024 @ Bethany United ChurchMay 10 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pmBethany Community Hub invites you to enjoy board games, card games and memory games at the lower level of Bethany United Church, 3 George Street, Bethany. Fun for the whole family.May12Sun20249:00 am Springville Market Mother’s Day ... @ Springville Tap ‘N GrillSpringville Market Mother’s Day ... @ Springville Tap ‘N GrillMay 12 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pmFeaturing Mother’s day Brunch until noon, face painting, B12 injections, Reiki treatments, readings, ice cream, live music, and crafts.May15Wed2024May16Thu20247:00 pm Alderville First Nation Historia...Alderville First Nation Historia...May 16 @ 7:00 pmAnnual General Meeting of your Millbrook Cavan Historical Society, at Millbrook Legion Hall. Come and learn about Alderville’s unique history. All welcome. Info: millbrookcavanhs.org