Canada races to rearm

Canadian soldiers from North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, 37 Canadian Brigade Group, pausing and taking defensive positions during a patrol near the Shingle Point North Warning System radar facility. — Gavin John/The New York Times

AT the end of World War II, Canada boasted one of the world’s largest navies, with 95,000 uniformed members and 434 ships.

The current Royal Canadian Navy is far less impressive – about 11,500 members and 40 vessels.