Category: Anita Anand

PBO to Examine Ottawa’s $19 Billion Purchase of F-35 Fighter Jets: Report

Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) will be examining the federal government’s recent $19 billion purchase of F-35 fighter jets and has written to Defence Minister Anita Anand requesting information from her department on the deal, according to a report. “In order to provide the analysis to parliamentarians in a timely manner, I ask the information…


Canada to Send 200 More Armoured Vehicles to Ukraine: Defence Minister

Defence Minister Anita Anand today announced Canada would send another 200 armoured vehicles to Ukraine in support of the country’s defence against the Russian invasion. Anand announced this latest round of military aid to Ukraine, worth $90 million, during a surprise visit to Kyiv on Jan. 18. It comes on the heels of the donation…


Ottawa’s Purchasing Delay of F-35 Jets ‘Severely Impacted’ Canadian Air Force: Former Defence Minister

The Liberal government’s long delay in purchasing F-35 fighter jets has impacted the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) “quite severely” and put Canada behind foreign military competition, says former defence minister Peter MacKay. “The delay, of course, has impacted quite severely on the Royal Canadian Air Force in terms of recruitment and retention of pilots, fighter…


Ottawa to Invest $19 Billion Over 9 Years in New Fleet of F-35 Fighter Jets

Ottawa says it will be investing $19 billion over the next nine years to purchase 88 F-35 fighter jets, which are meant to replace its fleet of outdated CF-18 Hornets by 2032. National Defence Minister Anita Anand made the announcement on Jan. 9, saying it’s the largest investment made in the Royal Canadian Air Force…


Ottawa ‘Concerned’ by Chinese Military Activities in Taiwan Strait, Anand Says, but Mum on Defence Help in Case of Taiwan Invasion

Defence Minister Anita Anand says China is at the core of Canada’s new Indo-Pacific Strategy, and pledges to challenge Beijing in defence of the region’s stability. However, she would not say specifically whether Canada would defend Taiwan’s de facto sovereignty should China launch a military invasion of the island. While outlining the defence and security…


China’s Ambitions in Indo-Pacific Region a Threat to Global Security: Defence Minister

Defence Minister Anita Anand highlighted concerns about China’s increased ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region at the 2022 Halifax International Security (HFX) Forum, where experts discussed threats to global security from authoritarian states and other malign actors. “Our world is only growing darker,” Anand said in her opening speech at the 14th annual HFX Forum in Halifax, Nova Scotia,…


Canadian Military Can Work in Europe, Asia at Same Time: Defence Minister

Defence Minister Anita Anand pushed back on Friday against suggestions that growing Canada’s military’s footprint in Asia will come at a cost to the country’s long-standing commitments to Europe, where NATO allies are expecting to see more Canadian troops. The issue emerged after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced at an international summit in Bangkok that…


Canadian Armed Forces Spearheads Ottawa’s Post-Fiona Response to Atlantic Canada

The Canadian military is spearheading federal efforts to support post-Fiona recovery efforts across Atlantic Canada. Here is a look at what Ottawa is doing to help those affected by the hurricane. Canadian Armed Forces The Canadian military is deploying troops and equipment to the region after the federal government approved requests for assistance from Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland…


Canada to Invest $4.9B Over Six Years to Modernize Aging North American Defence Systems

Defence Minister Anita Anand says the federal government will invest $4.9 billion over the next six years to modernize North America’s aging defence systems. Anand said the decision was made to protect Canadians from “new and emerging threats” from autocratic regimes that threaten rule-based international order, and new weapons developed by other countries. The minister…


Military Sexual Offences Should Be Under Full Jurisdiction of Civilian Criminal Courts: Report by Former Supreme Court Justice

In announcing the release of a final report on Canadian military sexual misconduct, former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour said the military should abolish the structures and performance-based promotion systems that nurture sexualized culture. In a press conference on May 30, Louise Arbour announced the results of over a year’s work with 48 recommendations to…