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

B.C. hails flood recovery but more disasters loom

B.C. hails flood recovery but more disasters loom
The record rains brought by an atmospheric river last November swamped southwest B.C., inundated farmland, washed out major highways and railways and forced thousands to flee. Five people died in what the Insurance Bureau of Canada ranks as B.C.'s most costly weather event, with insured losses of $675 million.  

B.C. hails flood recovery but more disasters loom

Surrey councillors mull future of municipal police

Surrey councillors mull future of municipal police
It presents two options, with the first stopping further spending on the SPS while a plan is submitted to the province for approval to end the integration and "ramp down" the municipal police agency.

Surrey councillors mull future of municipal police

86 year old female pedestrian dies of her injuries after a collision in East Vancouver

86 year old female pedestrian dies of her injuries after a collision in East Vancouver
The victim was walking in the south lane of East 2nd Avenue from Commercial Drive on November 1 at around 7:15 a.m. when she was hit by the driver of a Cadillac Escalade. She was taken to hospital where she died from her injuries.

86 year old female pedestrian dies of her injuries after a collision in East Vancouver

Vancouver resident Rajan Raj couldn’t hold back tears after his $500K Lotto Max win

Vancouver resident Rajan Raj couldn’t hold back tears after his $500K Lotto Max win
“I was in the same store where I bought the ticket,” recalled Raj, who shared a Maxmillions prize from the draw with another winner in Ontario.  “I checked a few tickets and they were small wins, then I checked the winning ticket and I was sweating.”

Vancouver resident Rajan Raj couldn’t hold back tears after his $500K Lotto Max win

Repair of B.C. dike to finish this month: minister

Repair of B.C. dike to finish this month: minister
Farnworth says the provincial government has dedicated $1.6 million to the Sumas dike project, as he gave an update on recovery progress ahead of the one-year anniversary of what he called "one of the most devastating weather events in the history of our province."

Repair of B.C. dike to finish this month: minister

Kids' pain meds coming but supply fragile: critics

Kids' pain meds coming but supply fragile: critics
Health Canada pegged the problem to “unprecedented demand since the summer,” with stock “limited” at stores and hospitals in various parts of the country. Observers point to a complex web of factors driving demand, limiting supply and complicating any attempt at a quick fix.

Kids' pain meds coming but supply fragile: critics