There is something peculiar about Defense Minister Peter McKay’s statement about Canada’s need for a “permanent, visible” military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. To take part in joint naval exercises with regional allies, and combat piracy, drug trafficking, and human smuggling is not without merit. However, all of this appears to be another pie in the sky scenario in which the navy will somehow find the time, materiel and personnel to carry out these objectives, in addition to its commitments elsewhere around the globe and, most importantly, at home.