They must be adept negotiators, capable of reducing tension and building consensus, and skilled at not applying force in order to realise the broader objective behind these peace support missions. The last ten years have not been easy for us. But I think we are on the right track. We are working to ensure that Canada has the right kind of military forces to meet its security needs now and into the future. While we are addressing the challenges of today, we are also positioning for the future.
Planning is everything.
And this is what we are doing through forward-looking documents such as Strategy 2020. Such initiatives will help map out the direction the CF will take over the next 20 years. I think Canadians can be proud of the Canadian Forces' contribution to international peace and security. We have proven that we remain a vital national institution and that we play an important role in meeting Canada's domestic and international responsibilities.