The injection of money into CFB Kingston also comes at a time when Canada's shrinking military is struggling to balance the demands of replacing its aging equipment with spending money on personnel issues such as soldiers' housing and salaries. The auditor general recently warned that the military is several billion dollars short of the money needed to replace heavy equipment. Much of this equipment is expected to wear out at the same time, around 2010, which could create a funding crisis. In the current climate of fiscal restraint, Atkinson attributes Kingston's expansion to the fact that the base is unique. Its advantages include having several training institutions such as RMC and the Canadian Forces School of Military Intelligence.
Recruitment is a big thing right now.
It's an army base, but we also have elements of the navy and air force. We have specific set of capabilities situated here. But Atkinson said this summer's growth spurt at CFB Kingston follows one last summer when the School of Military Intelligence was moved to Kingston from CFB Borden. Latest numbers show military strength at the base to be 5,600 - 4,100 military personnel and 1,500 civilians. In April 1995, there were 2,800 military personnel and 800 civilians.