Remembrance Day: Canadian military then and now

We reflect on those who have served in the defence of Canada. We also remember all those currently serving the country on the home front and abroad.

Canadian Armed Forces Bases and Patrols

This map shows the various bases, support bases, and patrols of the Canadian Armed Forces. As of November 11, 2016.

How Canada measures up

The graphic below shows the number of personnel in the armed forces for 11 of the 12 founding NATO countries (Iceland is excluded because it does not have an independent defence force).

Globally, Canada’s military strength is ranked 22nd of 126 countries according to Global Fire Power (2016). This is determined by a combination of factors including available personnel, logistical flexibility, natural resources, geographical factors, local industry and weapon diversity.

Hover over the graphic to compare the size of the three main branches of the Canadian Armed Forces with fellow NATO member nations.

GFP’s top ten countries include in order of 1-10: United States of America, Russia, China, India, France, United Kingdom, Japan, Turkey, Germany and Italy.

Military Expenditures

Hover over the graphics below to compare the military spending of NATO countries in 2000 and 2015.

Among NATO members’ military expenditures, Canada has remained towards the bottom of the pack and last year Canada’s spending as a per cent of the nation’s GDP was the lowest it has been in 16 years. In 2000 it was 1.1 per cent, increasing in 2009 to 1.4 per cent before dropping to 1.0 in 2013 where it has remained since.

In 2015 Canada’s military expenditure of 1 per cent of the nation’s GDP totalled 1.5 billion in U.S. dollars.

Hover over the graphic to compare the size of the three main branches of the Canadian Armed Forces with fellow NATO member nations.

To all of the service personnel, those currently serving and those who have served, we thank you and we remember.

[Photo © Amanda van Frankfoort]