Close X
Monday, November 25, 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

Driver in custody after fatal B.C. crash

Driver in custody after fatal B.C. crash
Abbotsford police say the 51-year-old driver of the other vehicle is in custody as part of an impaired driving investigation. Officers responded to a crash at the intersection of Wells Line Road and McDermott Road at 6:25 p.m.  

Driver in custody after fatal B.C. crash

Parts of B.C. at second-most severe drought rating

Parts of B.C. at second-most severe drought rating
A statement from the ministry says those regions are ranked at Drought Level 4, meaning conditions are extremely dry and will likely have unfavourable impacts on everything from jobs to ecosystems.

Parts of B.C. at second-most severe drought rating

B.C. expanding power of pharmacists to prescribe

B.C. expanding power of pharmacists to prescribe
Pharmacists will be able to administer more vaccines and renew prescriptions for people who have lost their family doctors starting Oct. 14. Next spring, they will begin prescribing drugs for minor ailments like urinary tract infections, allergies and indigestion, meaning patients won't have to visit a doctor first.

B.C. expanding power of pharmacists to prescribe

Vancouver gas prices pass $2.39, setting new high

Vancouver gas prices pass $2.39, setting new high
Gas prices in Vancouver hit a new high of more than $2.39 a litre at some stations Thursday, blowing past the previous peak set this summer. One gas analyst said that's a new all-time record for North America, and expects prices to continue to rise this week.  

Vancouver gas prices pass $2.39, setting new high

Canada boosts Pakistan flood donation match to $5M

Canada boosts Pakistan flood donation match to $5M
That matching campaign was due to end on Wednesday. In an interview, Sajjan says the campaign will go on and the amount is now capped at $5 million.  

Canada boosts Pakistan flood donation match to $5M

Avg home price 67% higher than affordable level

Avg home price 67% higher than affordable level
A new report says the average home price reached a peak of $839,600 in February 2022, up 52 per cent from $551,100 in February 2020. Since then, however, prices have declined by seven per cent, down to $777,200 in August.

Avg home price 67% higher than affordable level