First of all, to correct a misimpression, right now we are spending less than we did in 2008. We're spending less right now since the inception of the CFDS. We're down to about $17.1 billion, and we were spending somewhere around $17.4 billion to $17.6 billion at the start of CFDS in 2008.
I'll get right to some of your questions, and they're excellent.
First, and here's the linkage to strategy, if it is ultimately in Canada's interest to prevent a thickening of the border and trade with the U.S., and if the freedom of citizens and the movement in trade across that border is primary, then you design slightly different Canadian Forces and a slightly different focus for what your Canadian Forces do from what they do right now.
Equally, when we're talking about threats, threats are not only state threats. There are also environmental threats. What I mean by environmental threats is that ice storms occur, forest fires happen, snowstorms occur, and power outages occur. At -30° in December, I assure you, those are a national crisis in this country.
Therefore, what do we do with reserves that are scattered throughout our communities? Do we better equip them? Do we create the policy conditions for them to be better used by provinces and the like? Those are some of the areas where I would go.
With respect to SAR and the other spending priorities, this is again why I talked about having a defence white paper or some sort of strategic guidance. That way, when you're in a period of economic pressure, you can decide what you're going to focus on. Do I need to spend on tanks, or do I reduce those and then focus my money on fixed-wing SAR and so forth?