Close X
Friday, November 1, 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

Foot injury may not result in fractures: witness

Foot injury may not result in fractures: witness
Dennis Chimich, an expert in the biomechanics of bone fractures, testified for Doug McCallum's defence team, which is presenting evidence to suggest their client was not lying when he told police a woman ran over his foot in a grocery store parking lot. 

Foot injury may not result in fractures: witness

Housing prices remain soft, sales flat, throughout the Fraser Valley

Housing prices remain soft, sales flat, throughout the Fraser Valley
Prices continued to soften, with month-over-month Benchmark prices down slightly across all property categories. For detached homes, prices are on par with October 2021 levels, while townhomes and apartments are up 7.7 per cent and 11.5 per cent, respectively, over 2021.

Housing prices remain soft, sales flat, throughout the Fraser Valley

Funeral honours RCMP officer in Richmond, B.C.

Funeral honours RCMP officer in Richmond, B.C.
The 31-year-old mental health and homeless outreach officer was stabbed to death two weeks ago while she and a City of Burnaby employee attempted to issue an eviction notice to a man who had been living in a tent at a local park. Jongwon Ham is accused of first-degree murder in Yang's death and is expected to return to a Vancouver court again today for remand.

Funeral honours RCMP officer in Richmond, B.C.

Hundreds attend Halloween melee in Delta, B.C.

Hundreds attend Halloween melee in Delta, B.C.
The injured teen suffered burns to her arm and shoulder when her jacket was set ablaze, the two officers received minor injuries and firefighters had to douse several bush and dumpster fires.  

Hundreds attend Halloween melee in Delta, B.C.

Vancouver home sales down 46% from last year

Vancouver home sales down 46% from last year
Last month sales totalled 1,903 and were 33.3 per cent below the 10-year October sales average. The board attributed the slowdown's continuation to inflation and rising interest rates, which have led many buyers and sellers to reassess purchasing or listing a home.

Vancouver home sales down 46% from last year

More rain for parts of drought-stricken B.C.

More rain for parts of drought-stricken B.C.
Rain is predicted to be even heavier on the west coast of Vancouver Island, where about 80 mm could fall in less than 36 hours and models show some Metro Vancouver communities may receive 60 mm or more.

More rain for parts of drought-stricken B.C.