President Vladimir Putin says Russia plans to station but control tactical nuclear weapons in neighbouring Belarus this summer, saying it would not violate nuclear non-proliferation agreements. “There is nothing unusual here,” he says. “The United States has […] long deployed their tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of their allied countries.”
Mar 17
(Globe & Mail)
An anonymous veteran federal public servant was identified today as the source for a series of internationally embarrassing disclosures about foreign interference in Canadian affairs and about seeming government indifference or reluctance to act over the years. Acknowledging the prospect of eventual prosecution if identified, the whistleblower explains the reasons for sharing concerns about an evolving threat.
Feb 19
(ALEXANDER LANDRY and CONNOR HUNERFAUTH)
All future activities in the Northwest Passage should be assessed through an Environmental, Social, and Governance lens, advise Hunerfauth and Landry as they provide an overview of key considerations.
Feb 17
(KEN POLE)
It is estimated that Ukraine is firing as many as 5,000 artillery rounds and missiles a day in its counteroffensive against Russian invaders, as much as some of its European allies manufacture in a year. That pales against more than three times as many Russian "fires" on any given day, but as Ukraine needs to ramp up its own stockpiles in preparation for a spring escalation of the conflict, Canada and other allies are having to deal with their ability to meet that need.
Mar 27
(CBC)
Public Services & Procurement Canada confirmed today that the U.S. State Department has been asked to approve the potential purchase of up to 16 Boeing P8-A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for the RCAF. “The final decision will be based on the capability offered, availability, pricing and benefits to Canadian industry,” PSPC said. In service with Australia, Britain and India as well as the U.S. Navy, it is a militarized version of the 737-800 civilian passenger jet.
Mar 25
(CBC)
Canada plans to invest $7.3 billion to upgrade fighter bases and northern landing strips to accommodate its ordered Lockheed Martin F-35s, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office announced March 24. Also confirmed during President Joe Biden’s visi to Ottawa, the government also said that the first new Over the Horizon Radar base will be in northern Ontario, part of a 20-year upgrade of continental air defences.
Mar 25
(CTV)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden used a day of talks in Ottawa March 24 to tackle a range of shared issues, including defence and security, third-country refugees, Haiti, clean energy and trade in what Trudeau said was a demonstration of how their countries’ interests are “interwoven.” Biden, on his first visit to Canada as President, agreed, saying, “I can't think of a challenge we haven’t met together.”
Mar 23
(CBC)
The Department of National Defence is facing pushback against a new program it says will help personnel to deal with housing costs. DND estimates that rationalizing the benefit will mean that some 7,700 personnel who have been receiving a monthly allowance will be cut off. Brigadier-General Virginia Tattersall, head of compensation and benefits, says that more members overall will be supported and while she is “sympathetic” to those who lose the allowance, they either “are able to afford” housing or live in protected base housing.
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 Logistik Unicorp |
 Beretta Defense Technologies / Stoeger Canada |
Jan 22 –
Will the issue of heavy armour support for Ukraine unite or divide the allies? Will Germany's post-WW2-guilt overpower its modern leadership role in global stability? Is a willing coalition of European neighbours enough to stiffen the German spine?
Jan 15 –
Canada has announced that the Lockheed Martin F-35 has been chosen to replace the aged CF-18s. New kit as major as this should go a long way to boosting recruitment of pilots, aircrew, and aviation technicians. It's time to quickly capitalize on this new recruitment tool.
Jan 12
Action on the Arbour Report is likely to begin soon, LGen Michel Maisonneuve and Dr Danic Parenteau provide suggestions for consideration by the different committees engaged in these changes. Read on for clarification, and more details, pursuant to comments received after publishing (Oct 2022) their five general recommendations for any review of the Canadian Military Colleges.
Jan 10 –
This procurement has been politically turbulent for both Liberal and Conservative governments over the years, but Canada has finally announced it will begin taking deliveries of its first 16 F-35 Lightning II fighters in 2026 despite protesters who call for vulnerability in the name of peace.
TBD July/Aug 2023
St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
18 March 2016
Do you know someone who should be recognized for their efforts on behalf of veterans? The Veterans Ombudsman is now accepting nominations for the 2016 Veterans Ombudsman Commendation.
17 March 2016
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan wrapped up a successful visit to Ukraine, Poland, and Germany today, where he met Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel deployed in the region as part of Operations UNIFIER and REASSURANCE and held bilateral meetings with his counterparts.
11 March 2016
Approximately 300 Canadian Army Reservists from 31 Canadian Brigade Group will practice their combat skills at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center and Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center in Butlerville, Indiana, as part of Exercise ARROWHEAD LIGHTNING from March 12 to 19, 2016.
10 March 2016
About 150 members of 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, based at Valcartier, Quebec, have commenced training with the French Army in three different exercises to share their knowledge and skill.
8 March 2016
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan today made a statement, on the occasion of International Women's Day, to honour the outstanding service of women in the Canadian Armed Forces and at the Department of National Defence.
7 March 2016
Soldiers from 5th Canadian Division’s Arctic Response Company Group deployed over the weekend to Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, to hone their skills in winter survival and enhance their combat skills in an extreme cold weather environment on Exercise STALWART GOOSE.
7 March 2016
The CAF has officially marked the transitioning of the Air Task Force-Iraq mission during a parade in Kuwait. Lieutenant-General Michael Hood, RCAF Commander, presided over the parade, which commemorated the contributions of all CAF members who have deployed to conduct and support air operations since the beginning of Operation IMPACT.
1 March 2016
Brigadier-General Stéphane Lafaut, Commander 2nd Canadian Division and Joint Task Force (East), yesterday presented the third clasp to the Canadian Forces’ Decoration to eight Canadian Rangers from Nunavik, each of whom have 42 years of dedicated service.
25 February 2016
Veterans Ombudsman Guy Parent testified before the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs. He gave an overview of the work and challenges of the Office, and provided an assessment of the issues facing the organization. A full transcript (french and english) is provided here.
24 February 2016
Several hundred Canadian Army soldiers from 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment from Petawawa, Ontario, will conduct winter warfighting training in Norway with 13 NATO Allies and partners during Exercise COLD RESPONSE 2016 from March 1-9, 2016.
24 February 2016
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Winnipeg returned to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt yesterday after a successful eight-and-a-half month deployment which included participation in Operations REASSURANCE and CARIBBE.
24 February 2016
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will mark the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait in a number of ceremonies between February 24 to 29, 2016, to recognize Canada’s contribution to the First Gulf War and the service provided by veterans of the conflict.
