Disciplinary problems and lack of respect for institutions in society are reflected in a surge of charges against Canadian Forces members since the mission in Afghanistan began in 2002, Defence Minister Peter MacKay suggested Wednesday.

A CBCNews.ca investigation found that summary charges — those handled at the unit level and include accusations ranging from drunkenness to misconduct of a sexual nature — rose from 1,300 in 1998-99 to 2,100 in 2006-07. Some other serious charges, such as sexual assault, which are normally handled at a court martial, also rose during that period.

MacKay said the fact that Canada's military is involved in a major combat operation means there is greater stress and a need for greater discipline, resulting in a whole range of disciplinary measures being brought to bear.

Stricter discipline for minor infractions is partly responsible for the rise in charges, said MacKay, speaking to reporters at the Conservative Party caucus meeting in Lévis, Que.

"Yes, there are serious charges, but there are charges pending such as sleeping in, leaving a post early, not having your uniform properly attired," MacKay said.

"So the statistics can be a little misleading," he added. "You have to look at the factual circumstances around what the soldiers are facing today and the range of disciplinary measures being deployed."

The military itself refused to be interviewed about why the overall spike in charges was taking place, and why charges such as drug trafficking rose.

MacKay said training techniques for new recruits need to take into account that "young people today are not used to, quite frankly, some of the demands and the rigours and the discipline that is expected in the Canadian Forces."

"Requiring young people to comply with strict military doctrine and discipline is a greater challenge today, quite frankly, than it was 10 or 15 or 25 years ago," he said.

'NATO has to do more'

The defence minister, meanwhile, said Canada will continue to press other NATO countries to send more troops to Afghanistan's volatile Kandahar region where Canadian soldiers are operating.

"NATO has to do more," MacKay said.

"It's the most vulnerable, most volatile part of the country, that region of Kandahar, that border region with Pakistan, and we're not going to let up or relent on our request for other NATO countries to come to the south."