Defence Policy Perspectives: Special Interests and Lobbying

Abstract

This chapter identifies special interest participants and lobbyists attempting to influence Canadian defence policy, the methodology of their approach and the influence they achieve. Defence policy is impacted by crises, world events and other factors which influence how the policy is actually implemented—the priorities assigned to certain capabilities, the nature and extent of expeditionary deployments, the emphasis on speedy procurement, etc. This chapter also explains the very legitimate role of special interest groups and lobbying in the formulation and implementation of defence policy. It discusses their views and interests and the nature of their interaction, formally and informally, recognizing that input to a government-imitated review of defence policy is limited when compared to the ongoing process of making decisions regarding expenditures for major defence equipment, changes to defence funding and changes in the strength of the Canadian Armed Forces, all of which signal the government’s actual commitment to the level of military capability felt to be important and affordable.