20 March, 2025
Canada stands at a crossroads. Are we prepared to defend our national interests, or are we a nation drifting without direction? LCol David Redman (Ret’d), former head of Emergency Management Alberta and a veteran with extensive operational command experience, presents a critical analysis of Canada’s security posture. Drawing on decades of military and government expertise, Redman will examine the challenges facing the Canadian Armed Forces, the erosion of national resilience, and the urgent need to redefine our national interests in an increasingly unstable world.
Following a 20-minute presentation, the audience is encouraged to engage in respectful discourse through relevant questions and constructive challenges. These non-partisan discussions aim to foster thought-provoking exchanges that promote understanding, encourage diverse perspectives, and ensure all parties leave better informed on security and defence.
This is a must-attend presentation for security professionals, military personnel, policy-makers, and engaged citizens concerned about the future of Canada’s defence and sovereignty.
Breaking Point
National Security and the Canadian Armed Forces
Lieutenant-Colonel David Redman (Retired)
Thursday, 20 March 2025
1900 hrs (MT) via Zoom
Full Presentation Video
In this powerful RMCSD presentation, LCol David Redman (Ret’d) challenges Canadians to rethink the role of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) — not simply as a tool of national defence, but as a pillar of national security and a cornerstone of democracy.
LCol Redman lays out six national interests every Canadian should understand, explains the structural failures weakening our Armed Forces, and outlines a bold strategy to rebuild a capable, combat-ready military. From force readiness to equipment, from national unity to global reputation, he connects the strength of the CAF directly to the security and sovereignty of Canada itself.
“[The CAF] must be presented to the Canadian people as a cornerstone of our democracy. They aren't an encumbrance. They aren't a costly burden. They are the very cornerstone...”
This talk is essential viewing for Canadians concerned with national security, military readiness, and the future of democracy in Canada.
00:00 – Introduction by RAUSI
01:42 – Opening Remarks: From Vision to Action
02:18 – National Interests: Then and Now
03:12 – A Declining Reputation: Canada's Global Standing
04:44 – Defining Canada’s Six National Interests
06:53 – National Security as a Core Interest
08:00 – Elements of National Security
10:01 – The Canadian Armed Forces: Role and Purpose
11:56 – The Five Pillars of a Combat-Ready Military
15:52 – “Cornerstone of Our Democracy”: Shaping Public Perception
18:00 – Minimum Force Size and Nationwide Presence
20:18 – A Call for Respect: Public and Political Support
21:16 – Rebuilding the CAF: Task Force and Immediate Actions
22:22 – Six-Month Action Plan Overview
23:57 – Conclusion: A Nation’s Strength is Its Forces
24:30 – Q&A Begins
24:47 – Q1: Is Canada’s Political Culture Capable of Reform?
28:12 – Q2: How Do We Counter Public Apathy?
31:35 – Q3: Recruiting in a Changing Society
35:10 – Q4: Could Mandatory National Service Help?
39:00 – Q5: Are Defence Cuts a Deliberate Strategy?
42:28 – Q6: What Can Citizens Do Right Now?
45:15 – Final Thoughts: Hope, Responsibility, and Action
Referenced Links:
Canada 2024: A Confident Resilient Nation or a Fearful Fractured Country | David Redman | FCPP
Unfit for Duty: It is Time to Rebuild the Canadian Armed Forces | David Redman | C2C Journal
Security and Sovereignty: Exploring Canada’s Vision for Land Power | LGen Michael Wright (Commander of the Canadian Army) | Stimson Center
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About the Presenter
David Redman has worked with all orders of government and extensively with the private sector to develop emergency management in Alberta, Canada and North America.
Prior to work in EMA, he had a twenty-seven career as an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. His military experience was predominately in command appointments in operational field positions, including three tours as a Commanding Officer, responsible for massive strategic, operational and tactical international logistical operations. These operations included but were not limited to the withdraw of all Canadian personnel and resources from Canadian Forces Europe in Lahr following the end of the Cold War; the withdraw of all Canadian United Nations personnel and resources from the Former Republic of Yugoslavia during the 1995 War; and the deployment of Canadian NATO Forces into Bosnia). During his military career, he served in nineteen geographic locations, including three NATO postings to Germany, a posting to California, and postings or employment in most Provinces and Territories in Canada. He also was deployed on operational tours in support of the United Nations and NATO; in Egypt in 1978, Croatia in 1995 and Bosnia in 1996.
David Redman joined the Government of Alberta in 2000. His first appointment was in Emergency Management Alberta in November 2000, first serving a year as the Director of Community Programs. In that capacity he was responsible for support to municipal government’s preparation, response and recovery to major emergencies and disasters throughout the province.
Following September 11, 2001, he was appointed as Director of Crisis Management Programs. In this capacity he was responsible for leading the development of the Alberta Counter-Terrorism Crisis Management Plan (ACTCMP). Once developed, he was appointed to lead the plan’s implementation and daily coordination across all orders of government and the private sector in Alberta. The plan fully integrated both the public sector and the private sector response to threats. At the request of the American Ambassador to Canada, he briefed the ACTCMP to members of the US Congress & Senate, and new heads of DHS in Washington DC.
In January 2004, he became the Executive Director of EMA, responsible for leading all emergency management activities for the Government of Alberta, in response to Natural and Human Induced Hazards. In this capacity he has worked and briefed extensively to federal, provincial, municipal agencies and widely across all industry sectors. He has worked in depth with the federal and state government of the USA in the areas of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Management. He was responsible for the direction of Provincial Emergency Management of the devastating floods that hit Alberta in June 2005. In 2005, at the request of the Deputy Minister of Health, he led the update of the Alberta Pandemic influenza Plan. He held the Executive Director appointment until he retired from Public Service in December 2005.
For the next eight years he worked as a respected consultant in emergency management, working with both the public sector and private sector. During this period, he was frequently called upon by the Auditor General of Canada, as an Emergency Management Expert in the drafting of, conduct of and final report drafting of detailed federal audits. He retired fully in December 2013.
He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada, and a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the United States Naval Postgraduate School. He is a graduate of both the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College, in Kingston, Ontario and the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, in Toronto, Ontario.