Military has no fat left to cut, top soldier says ahead of austerity budget

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A member of the Canadian Army walks away from the water during training session with U.S Marines during real-world training at Camp Lejeune, in Jacksonville, N.C., Jan. 6, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, The Daily News, John Althouse

OTTAWA – Canada’s top soldier says the armed forces have no fat left to cut ahead of this week’s austerity budget.

But Gen. Thomas Lawson told the Senate security and defence committee he understands that militaries around the world are being forced to operate will less money.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s budget on Thursday is widely expected to make substantial cuts across government, and the Defence Department and Canadian Forces won’t escape unscathed.

Lawson says the number of regular and part-time soldiers will stay the same.

But the chief of defence staff acknowledges more reservists will likely go from being full-time to part-time soldiers.

He also says he expects fewer outside companies will be contracted as more jobs are brought back in-house.

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