Close X
Saturday, November 2, 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

Vancouver Police investigate pedestrian fatality

Vancouver Police investigate pedestrian fatality
Vancouver Police are investigating the city’s eighth pedestrian fatality of the year, which occurred around 12:30 p.m. today on West Georgia Street. Police believe a woman was struck by a charter bus near West Georgia and Cardero Street.

Vancouver Police investigate pedestrian fatality

Sept. 30 won't be a stat holiday in most provinces

Sept. 30 won't be a stat holiday in most provinces
New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut have declared Sept. 30 a statutory holiday. The other provinces and territories are choosing to observe the day in various ways, while some continue consultations with Indigenous groups and businesses about whether to make it a stat.

Sept. 30 won't be a stat holiday in most provinces

More staff needed to ease border delays: union

More staff needed to ease border delays: union
Weber spoke at a House of Commons committee meeting looking at the ArriveCan app, which has been used for providing travel and public health information before and after people enter Canada. The cabinet order mandating vaccine requirements and use of ArriveCan for incoming travellers expires at the end of Friday and the government says it will not be renewed.

More staff needed to ease border delays: union

B.C. seniors stage rally, seeking park for elders

B.C. seniors stage rally, seeking park for elders
About 100 seniors, many using walkers and motorized scooters and carrying placards, took part in the protest near the land owned by the Greater Victoria School District, and say they are being shut out of green space near their homes.

B.C. seniors stage rally, seeking park for elders

BC Liberals looking to rebrand with a top choice for party name vote

BC Liberals looking to rebrand with a top choice for party name vote
As part of this process, every BC Liberal member will have the opportunity before the end of the year to vote in favour of changing the name to BC United or keep the existing BC Liberal Party name. In the meantime, BC United has been registered with Elections BC as an alternate name for the BC Liberal Party. 

BC Liberals looking to rebrand with a top choice for party name vote

B.C. senior convicted of 11 counts of sex assault

B.C. senior convicted of 11 counts of sex assault
Coquitlam resident Raymond Gaglardi appeared in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster on Monday, and court records show he was convicted on 11 counts. The charges related to historical sexual assaults of young men or teenage boys who attended several Coquitlam-area churches between 1993 and 2007.  

B.C. senior convicted of 11 counts of sex assault