Close X
Monday, January 13, 2025
ADVT 
National

Ottawa to fast-track weapon purchases: Anand

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Mar, 2023 11:18 AM
  • Ottawa to fast-track weapon purchases: Anand

OTTAWA - Defence Minister Anita Anand says Ottawa will fast-track the purchase of anti-tank, anti-aircraft and anti-drone weapons for the Canadian military with a mechanism last used during the war in Afghanistan.

Anand announced the plan Thursday at the Conference of Defence Associations Institute, one of Canada's largest defence conferences, saying the new weapons are needed now for Canadian troops in Latvia and other parts of Europe.

"Canada's largest foreign military deployment … is on NATO's eastern flank in Latvia," she said. "And our troops there must have the equipment that they need to protect themselves and to do their jobs especially at this crucial time."

The defence minister also emphasized the need to update Canada's long-term plan for the military, as she launched public consultations to inform the government while it revisits its previous strategy.

The Liberal government released a defence policy in 2017, promising billions of dollars in new investments to better equip the Canadian military to face the threats of today and tomorrow after the war in Afghanistan.

Anand said the policy needs updating, since a lot has changed in the intervening years, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine, growing tensions with China, and more natural disasters requiring military support at home.

"It is critically important that we get this right, which is why we have been engaging stakeholders across Canada, as well as our allies and partners, to inform our way forward," Anand said.

The review will look at five critical areas, including how to address the military's personnel shortage, upgrade its Arctic defences, and determining exactly what equipment and capabilities are needed for modern conflict.

The minister did not speak to the degree to which cost will figure into the government's thinking, as critical military procurement projects continue to experience delays and cost overruns.

The Liberals are also facing new cost pressures on various non-military files amid growing calls to rein in spending after years of budgetary deficits, which predated the COVID-19 pandemic.

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. police watchdog called after fatal shooting

B.C. police watchdog called after fatal shooting
A statement from the Mounties says members of the southeast district emergency response team attempted to arrest the man and woman, who had outstanding warrants, along Highway 3 near Keremeos on Tuesday. They say police shot the man after he allegedly pulled out a weapon, and he died at the scene.

B.C. police watchdog called after fatal shooting

A 21-year old man has been sentenced to life in prison for a 2021 shooting in Burnaby.

A 21-year old man has been sentenced to life in prison for a 2021 shooting in Burnaby.
The suspect, later identified as 21-year old Ahmed Tahir, was quickly apprehended. A second victim, who had suffered non life-threatening injuries was later identified. On May 9, 2021, the BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) laid a first degree murder charge against Tahir in relation to the homicide of Mr. Dalipi. 

A 21-year old man has been sentenced to life in prison for a 2021 shooting in Burnaby.

B.C. health minister says system needs change

B.C. health minister says system needs change
Dix spoke in Whistler today at the Union of B.C. Municipalities, an annual meeting of municipal politicians, during a plenary on health care. He says the pandemic has seen primary care transition to a disproportionately digital system, creating challenges alongside crises in paramedic services, nursing staffing levels and other areas.

B.C. health minister says system needs change

Man charged after allegedly stealing a vehicle that was for sale by owner

Man charged after allegedly stealing a vehicle that was for sale by owner
22-year-old Muhammad Mehran Ali of Delta has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, possession of property obtained by a crime, carrying a concealed weapon, fail to comply with probation order and prohibited driving under the Motor Vehicle Act.   

Man charged after allegedly stealing a vehicle that was for sale by owner

Provinces scramble after Trudeau declares holiday

Provinces scramble after Trudeau declares holiday
While the announcement signalled that federal workers would get a day off on Sept. 19, the day of the Queen's state funeral and of commemorative events across the country, provinces had to work out the details for other workplaces, including schools, with less than a week's notice.

Provinces scramble after Trudeau declares holiday

B.C. study says 80% of kids, youth have had COVID

B.C. study says 80% of kids, youth have had COVID
The study, which lists Dr. Bonnie Henry among 13 authors, says that in contrast, 60 to 70 per cent of adults aged 20 to 59 and about 40 per cent of those aged 60 and over have been infected. The preprint study, which has not been peer-reviewed, was published online on Sept. 9 and says a series of surveillance reports of infections were understating the actual levels of infection by 92 times.

B.C. study says 80% of kids, youth have had COVID