Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Permanent residents can apply to join Armed Forces

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 05 Dec, 2022 03:48 PM
  • Permanent residents can apply to join Armed Forces

OTTAWA - Permanent residents can now apply to join the Canadian Armed Forces, regardless of whether they have been trained by a foreign military.

It's the latest effort by Canada's military to boost recruitment numbers, which are lagging well behind the target of adding 5,900 new members by March.

Officials have blamed a series of factors including the COVID-19 pandemic and reputational issues stemming from a number of high-profile sexual misconduct cases for the current shortfall of nearly 8,000 soldiers, sailors and aviators.

Until now, permanent residents in Canada could sign up only if they were skilled professionals who were trained by foreign militaries, but the federal government is now broadening the pool of applicants.

The Department of National Defence says joining the military can help permanent residents gain citizenship, in part because their applications are given priority by immigration officials.

On October, chief of the defence staff Gen. Wayne Eyre ordered an immediate halt to all non-essential activities in favour of boosting military recruitment and retention.

The Armed Forces has also been pushing for greater diversity in its ranks, with targeted recruiting of under-represented groups and efforts to create a more inclusive workplace by doing things like easing dress rules.

MORE National ARTICLES

Ex-mayor of Surrey, B.C., not guilty of mischief

Ex-mayor of Surrey, B.C., not guilty of mischief
McCallum said in brief remarks outside the courthouse Monday that he was “pleased with the decision.” He thanked his lawyers for “their tremendous efforts,” his family for “understanding and supporting me,” and the media for their “sensitivity” covering the case. “And to the people of Surrey, I love you. I love all of you,” he said.  

Ex-mayor of Surrey, B.C., not guilty of mischief

VPD investigates after East Van diners robbed at gun-point

VPD investigates after East Van diners robbed at gun-point
Two men with guns entered the restaurant, near Commercial Drive and Kitchener Street, at the height of Sunday brunch. They pointed the weapons at staff and patrons, ordering the victims to hand over cellular phones and other valuables, then fled in a vehicle.

VPD investigates after East Van diners robbed at gun-point

Woman robbed while trying to withdraw money from an East Van ATM over the weekend

Woman robbed while trying to withdraw money from an East Van ATM over the weekend
The 34-year-old victim was attempting to use a bank machine near Broadway and Commercial around 10 p.m. Saturday when she was approached by a stranger who asked for a cigarette. The victim refused, and the man allegedly shoved her against a wall and demanded money.

Woman robbed while trying to withdraw money from an East Van ATM over the weekend

B.C. Premier Eby to share plans for housing crisis

B.C. Premier Eby to share plans for housing crisis
His proposed plan would fast-track affordable housing by speeding approvals, use government land for some projects, make all secondary suites across the province legal and allow homebuilders to replace a single-family house with up to three units on the same lot.  

B.C. Premier Eby to share plans for housing crisis

Help identify suspect in racist graffiti: Surrey RCMP

Help identify suspect in racist graffiti: Surrey RCMP
Frontline officers located similar graffiti on a nearby elementary school while in the area investigating. As well in September 2022, there was a similar incident of graffiti where the same fence and school were vandalized.

Help identify suspect in racist graffiti: Surrey RCMP

Doctors urge families to get influenza vaccine

Doctors urge families to get influenza vaccine
The Canadian Paediatric Society said the advice was even more urgent for families with young kids, as influenza is spreading rapidly, along with surges of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus.

Doctors urge families to get influenza vaccine