- Reaction score
- 8,359
- Points
- 1,160
I was going to be flippant and remark that it is more difficult to get rid of stuff that it is to acquire new stuff, but I'll amend my thought and say that sometimes it may be "as difficult" to get rid of stuff as it is to acquire.
The purpose of that section in the NDA that you seemingly hold in great disdain because it talks about getting rid of stuff provides the department (and the CAF) with a loophole to accomplish defense (and diplomatic, humanitarian, etc) objectives that could be stymied by other legislation. Every department of government, just as it has to acquire stuff through PWGSC, also has to get rid off stuff through the same department. The Surplus Crown Assets Act is the governing legislation.
It's through that section of the act that Canada has been able on numerous occasions (for decades and decades) to sidestep the red tape that would entangle any transfer of military owned equipment to other countries and NGOs. I suppose the latest use of that section was the transfer of equipment to Ukraine.
I'm not disdainful of its inclusion. I can see its very real value. I just find it jarring that it precedes all other considerations of the Act.