Few are located in the growing communities of 1990's Canada. Canadians, except in a few cities, rarely see a military uniform in their lives. Our direct experience of war is fading. Virtually every Canadian family which was in Canada before 1945 had some connection to the world wars, but that was three generations ago. The concept of military subordination to civil authority is deeply ingrained in Canada and is not questioned.
Politicians gain few votes by promoting defence issues.
Only about ten per cent of Canadian parliamentarians have military experience , since we do not have conscription. The Senate is slightly higher because there are still several veterans from World War II and the House of Commons, somewhat lower. Even if the Canadian federal legislator overcomes his constituents' lack of interest and his or her own probable inexperience, few opportunities are available to have an impact on defence issues. In Canada's Westminster-based parliamentary system, the executive and the legislative are fused. And the executive has an arsenal of carrots and sticks on offer to its members for good or bad behaviour such cabinet positions, memberships on committees and committee chairmanships.