Canada's forces are woefully inadequate to fight a war, according to a new report by a leading pro-defence group.
The Conference of Defence Associations says the military has some good equipment but not enough people to operate it.
Retired Lt.-Gen. Charles Belzile told a news conference in Ottawa that the navy is so short of sailors that one of its destroyers can't be deployed.
He said the army only has enough people to field company-sized units of about 150 soldiers.
The navy and air force are falling short in their responsibility to guard the skies and sea lanes while meeting overseas commitments, the report says.
Belzile estimates it will take $1 billion a year for five years to stop the decline and an additional five to six years to replace equipment which he says right now is "busy rusting."
The C.D.A. represents a variety of defence-oriented organizations.
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