National

Canada in talks about adding forces to Europe

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Feb, 2022 03:33 PM

OTTAWA - Defence Minister Anita Anand says the government believes in the importance of bolstering NATO’s eastern flank in response to Russia’s military buildup, and that discussions are underway around increasing Canada's military presence in eastern Europe.

Yet even as the United States became the latest NATO member to commit more forces to the region with the deployment of 3,000 additional troops to Europe, Anand is declining to say when a Canadian decision could come.

Anand made the comments in an interview with The Canadian Press from Latvia, her last stop on a three-country tour that included visits to Ukraine and NATO headquarters in Brussels to discuss the military alliance’s standoff with Russia.

I met today with Latvia’s Prime Minister, @krisjaniskarins. Canada was the first G7 country to recognize the restoration of Latvia's independence in 1991, and one of the first countries to ratify Latvia's accession to @NATO. We stand in solidarity with our Latvian allies. pic.twitter.com/XoHRm4Td6V
— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) February 2, 2022

Canada has about 600 troops leading a NATO battlegroup in Latvia tasked with defending against any Russian attack, along with around 200 military trainers in Ukraine.

While Russian President Vladimir Putin has blamed NATO for the tensions, Anand accuses the Kremlin of starting this latest crisis and says it is up to Russia to ease the situation.

Anand says one of her aims while in Europe was to reassure friends and allies that Canada continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with them, even as she consulted on what more is needed in the region.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Metro Vancouver home sales hit record in 2021

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says home sales in Metro Vancouver hit an all-time record last year. The board says sales in 2021 rose 42.2 per cent to 43,999 compared with 30,944 in 2020.

Metro Vancouver home sales hit record in 2021

Prepare now for sick employees: B.C.'s top doctor

She urged businesses that require employees to come into a workplace to use multiple protocols including staggering shifts and break times, using Plexiglas barriers and limiting the number of customers entering the premises.

Prepare now for sick employees: B.C.'s top doctor

2,542 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

There are 27,106 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 236,309 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 298 individuals are in hospital and 86 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

2,542 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

Hospitals feeling strain of COVID-19 surge

Ontario health officials said the province would delay all surgeries deemed non-urgent starting Wednesday as the province grapples with the dual pressures of rising admissions and increased staff absences.

Hospitals feeling strain of COVID-19 surge

Minister asks for investigation into party flight

Videos of the Dec. 30 flight shared on social media appear to show passengers not wearing masks as they gather in close proximity, singing and dancing in the aisle and on seats. In one video, a large bottle of vodka appears to be passed among passengers, and later a woman appears to be smoking an electronic cigarette on the plane.

Minister asks for investigation into party flight

New paid sick day policy comes into effect in B.C.

Workers in British Columbia are now eligible for five paid sick days as the provincial government brings in changes to the policy affecting workers. The government says eligible employees will be guaranteed those sick days, provided they've worked for their employer for at least 90 days.