A Mixed Legacy: General Rick Hillier and Canadian Defence, 2005-08

• Published in: International journal (Toronto) Vol. 64; no. 3; pp. 605 - 623
• Main Author: Lagasse, Philippe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England Canadian International Council 01.09.2009; SAGE Publications; Sage Publications Ltd. (UK); Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Analysis; Appreciation; Armed Forces; Canada; Careers; Celebrities; Civilian personnel; Conservatism; Defense Policy; Evaluation; Foreign policy; Generals; Government; Government bureaucracy; Government cabinets; Hillier, Rick J; Institutes; Legacies; Liberalism; Military officers; Military operations; Military personnel; Military policy; National defense; National security; Public figures; Public opinion; Public Support; Ratings & rankings; Seamen; Soldiers; Tenure; Canada
• ISSN: 0020-7020; 2052-465X
• DOI: 10.1177/002070200906400302

General Rick Hillier was a remarkable chief of the defence staff. During his tenure from January 2005 to June 2008, Hillier wielded an unusual degree of influence for Canada’s highest ranking general, and he sought to use this influence to rebuild and reshape the Canadian forces. As part of this effort, he assumed a prominent role in the formulation of Canadian defence policy. Hillier was also a widely recognized public figure, achieving near-celebrity status in a country that is usually uninterested in defence and military matters. For Canadians accustomed to “silent soldiers and sailors,” Hillier’s three years as chief were, if nothing else, notable for the degree of attention garnered by the Canadian military’s top officer.