Latest news with #ColtCanada
National Post
02-07-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Why new Canadian ranger rifles are bleeding red dye
Canadian Rangers who use their new rifles in the rain are finding their hands covered in red dye because the stocks on the weapons can't handle moisture, according to newly released military records. Article content The problem was discovered in May 2018 as the new C-19 rifles were initially being distributed to Canadian Ranger units as part of a $32.8-million contract with Colt Canada. The .308 C-19, which is equipped with a red stock, replaced the Lee Enfield .303 rifle that had been used by Canadian Rangers since 1947. Article content Article content Under the contract, the new rifles were required to withstand extremely cold temperatures in the Arctic as well as moderate-to-high humidity in the coastal and forested regions of the country. Article content Article content 'Obviously from a health and safety perspective having dye released onto the skin is not a good situation,' Arthur Hall, who is with the Department of National Defence's small arms program, noted in a May 9, 2018 email regarding the C-19. Article content Further complaints continued to come in from Ranger units who also found the stocks were cracking. Article content 'The issue is that when exposed to moisture the red dye in the stock will run, and will discolour the hands of the user,' Luke Foster of the Directorate of Soldier Systems Program Management, pointed out in a July 3, 2018 email. 'This is also an indication that the stocks are not properly protected from the elements.' Article content One report from an officer assigned to the Rangers noted he took his new rifle outside in the rain for only five minutes before returning indoors. Once back inside he noticed the weapon was dripping red dye. 'I held the weapon for approximately 5-10 mins and it stated to stain my hand,' Captain T.M. Collier wrote in a May 9, 2018 email. Article content Article content The documents, acquired by the Ottawa Citizen, were released under the Access to Information Act. Article content Article content Department of National Defence officials, however, say it will be up to taxpayers to cover the costs of replacing the stocks on the 6,800 new rifles. That cost is estimated to be up to $10 million. Article content Tétreault also noted that the issue 'only became apparent and reported after extended field usage in extreme climatic conditions leading to cycles of expansion and contraction in the stock. This was not observed during Initial Operational Capability training; it only became apparent in the last two months before the end of deliveries.'
Ottawa Citizen
02-07-2025
- Climate
- Ottawa Citizen
Why new Canadian ranger rifles are bleeding red dye
Article content Canadian Rangers who use their new rifles in the rain are finding their hands covered in red dye because the stocks on the weapons can't handle moisture, according to newly released military records. Article content The problem was discovered in May 2018 as the new C-19 rifles were initially being distributed to Canadian Ranger units as part of a $32.8-million contract with Colt Canada. The .308 C-19, which is equipped with a red stock, replaced the Lee Enfield .303 rifle that had been used by Canadian Rangers since 1947. Article content Article content Article content Under the contract, the new rifles were required to withstand extremely cold temperatures in the Arctic as well as moderate-to-high humidity in the coastal and forested regions of the country. Article content 'Obviously from a health and safety perspective having dye released onto the skin is not a good situation,' Arthur Hall, who is with the Department of National Defence's small arms program, noted in a May 9, 2018 email regarding the C-19. Article content Further complaints continued to come in from Ranger units who also found the stocks were cracking. Article content 'The issue is that when exposed to moisture the red dye in the stock will run, and will discolour the hands of the user,' Luke Foster of the Directorate of Soldier Systems Program Management, pointed out in a July 3, 2018 email. 'This is also an indication that the stocks are not properly protected from the elements.' Article content Article content One report from an officer assigned to the Rangers noted he took his new rifle outside in the rain for only five minutes before returning indoors. Once back inside he noticed the weapon was dripping red dye. 'I held the weapon for approximately 5-10 mins and it stated to stain my hand,' Captain T.M. Collier wrote in a May 9, 2018 email. The documents, acquired by the Ottawa Citizen, were released under the Access to Information Act. Article content Department of National Defence officials, however, say it will be up to taxpayers to cover the costs of replacing the stocks on the 6,800 new rifles. That cost is estimated to be up to $10 million. Article content 'The performance requirements detailed performance against specific environmental conditions (cold, wet, etc), and the C19 met these criteria,' DND spokesperson Alex Tétreault stated in an email to the Ottawa Citizen. 'Therefore, Colt Canada fulfilled its contractual requirements, based on what was asked. There are no warranties that addresses the current issue being faced.'
Ottawa Citizen
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Ottawa Citizen
Today's letters: Keep evening street parking free to foster downtown vibrancy
Article content City staff are currently proposing paid evening and weekend street parking in many areas of downtown Ottawa. This proposal has two parts: paid daytime parking, including on weekends, and paid evening parking. I believe the evening portion is a mistake that disproportionately impacts evening-centric businesses including restaurants and bars. Article content Article content If passed, this proposal will continue to hollow out our core of locally owned and operated nightlife. In areas such as the Glebe, Little Italy, the ByWard Market and Westboro, on-street parking could soon be charged and limited to a two-hour maximum, until 9 p.m. daily. Many restaurant guests, especially in larger groups, spend more than two hours dining. Watching a game at a bar or going to a show takes longer than two hours. Article content Paid evening parking will also act as an added tax on these downtown areas, encouraging many to spend more of their nights out at big-box places in the suburbs where parking is free and abundant. Article content I strongly recommend the committee choose to stop parking fees and two-hour restrictions at 5:30 p.m. daily, removing these barriers to entry and helping to preserve the vibrancy and diversity of our nightlife in Ottawa. Article content Article content Maybe the procurement specialists at DND who tendered the Ranger guns from Colt Canada should have spoken to the procurement specialists at DND for cars. Surely when DND buys cars and trucks, they come with warranties that take effect after delivery. Article content To give a sole-source repair contract to Colt for $10 million to repair their own guns tells me the profit on repairs would be at the level where a bonus should be paid to their marketing force. Article content Maybe the DND staffers were trained at CBC where you pay bonuses and give salary increases during mismanaged periods. Article content Mr. Carney, this is fuel to get procurement under control. The taxpayers should not pay a cent for deficient goods.
