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 28
(CBC)
Defence Minister Anita Anand announced March 27 that Canada’s Operation Impact in the Middle will continue until 2025 but that the mission is being downsized. The decision enables Canada to continue supporting regional partners’ counterterrorism efforts because, Anand said, “when I visited them in December, I saw directly how their presence makes a difference.”
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.”
 Beretta Defense Technologies / Stoeger Canada |
 Collins Aerospace |
 Cleeve Technology Inc. |
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
29 September 2016
(The Globe and Mail)
A Liberal MP says Canada and Russia will hold a joint conference on Arctic co-operation next month in Ottawa, despite differences over Syria and Ukraine.
28 September 2016
Dr. James A. Boutilier has been chosen as the 2016 Vimy Award recipient. This prestigious award is presented annually to a prominent Canadian who has made outstanding contributions towards the security and defence of Canada and the preservation of democratic values.
27 September 2016
The Canadian Forces Provost Marshal Brigadier-General Robert Delaney today officially announced the establishment of a new 18-member team dedicated to supporting the investigation of criminal sexual offences throughout the Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence.
23 September 2016
Armoured fighting vehicle crews from five countries, including 186 Canadian soldiers, will participate in Exercise WORTHINGTON CHALLENGE 2016 from September 23 to 30. The exercise, which has a competitive flavour, will be hosted by the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps School at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown in New Brunswick.
19 September 2016
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) squadrons from across Canada are participating in their annual National Search and Rescue Exercise, SAREX 2016, from September 18 to 24, 2016, in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
18 September 2016
Today, over 23,000 participants ran, walked and rolled through the National Capital Region in the 9th annual Canada Army Run, presented by BMO. During the race, Canadian Armed Forces personnel and ill and injured soldiers were accompanied by participants of all ages and abilities.
14 September 2016
The Conference of Defence Associations Institute (CDA Institute) has released Vimy Paper 33: "The Fourth Dimension: The F-35 Program, Defence Procurement, and the Conservative Government, 2006-2015". In it, Richard Shimooka recounts how strained civil-military relations led to political dysfunction.
14 September 2016
Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan today participated in an informative discussion with Indigenous leaders and groups from across the country to gain their perspective on Canada’s Defence Policy Review.
14 September 2016
On September 13, 2016, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service laid two charges under the National Defence Act against Master Seaman Daniel Cooper of Naval Fleet School (Atlantic) at Canadian Forces Base Halifax.
13 September 2016
On September 12, 2016, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service laid a charge under the National Defence Act against Sergeant Kevin MacIntyre of the Military Police Unit at Canadian Forces Base Halifax.
13 September 2016
Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan will host a meeting in Winnipeg with Indigenous leaders and groups to gain their perspective on Canada’s Defence Policy Review.
8 September 2016
Approximately 18 members of the Canadian Armed Forces began their participation in Australia’s biennial Operation Render Safe 2016 to dispose of explosive remnants of World War II in Guadalcanal and the Russell Islands, in Solomon Islands.
