Section: National Newswatch (Canada)
Ministers arrive in Iqaluit for Arctic Council meeting
IQALUIT, Nunavut – Politicians and leaders from countries around the North Pole are arriving in this northern capital for a meeting of the Arctic Council.Canada will end its two-year term Friday at the helm of the council, the main international body promoting co-operation in an increasingly busy and contested region. U.S. Secretary of...
Survey of people in Arctic countries suggests concern about potential conflict
IQALUIT, Nunavut – A survey of people in countries surrounding the Arctic circle suggests that security fears in the region are growing.In five of the eight countries that form the Arctic Council, including Canada, about a third of respondents said they felt the chance of an armed conflict in the region has increased.In the remaining three...
Budget promises to boost DND spending in two years while veterans see cash now
OTTAWA – The Harper government is promising to spend more on the day-to-day-upkeep of the military, but the cash does not kick in for two years and is short of what the parliamentary budget office says is necessary to maintain the status quo.The new federal budget also confirms previously announced improvements to veterans benefits and...
Highlights of the 2015 federal budget tabled by Finance Minister Joe Oliver
OTTAWA – Highlights of the 2015-16 federal budget introduced Tuesday by Finance Minister Joe Oliver:— The budget is balanced, with a projected surplus of $1.4 billion this year, increasing to $4.8 billion in 2019-20.— The sale of the government’s General Motors shares, purchased in 2009 as part of an effort to help the auto industry...
Almost half of Canadians support Ukraine military mission: new poll
Almost half of Canadians approve of the Canadian Forces’ latest mission to the Ukraine, while 40 per cent disapprove, according to a Forum Research poll released today. The mission has divided Canadians across regions and demographics, according to the poll. Anglophones, males and Canadians living in Alberta and the prairies all polled more...
Canadian mission to train Ukrainians leaves big question
It is official that Canada will be deploying 200 military personnel for a period of up to two years to train Ukrainian soldiers. The stated purpose of this commitment is to enhance the Ukrainians’ capacity to withstand further “Russian aggression.” For the last year, Ukraine has been embroiled in a violent albeit localized civil war in the...
A federal budget, the ongoing Duffy court saga: a busy week awaits MPs
OTTAWA – It’ll be a busy week ahead for politicians and journalists alike in the nation’s capital as this Parliament sprints toward the finish line.Members of Parliament return to Ottawa as the House of Commons resumes sitting following a two-week break.While they were away, the trial of suspended senator Mike Duffy rolled...
Canada’s turn as Arctic Council head to end at Iqaluit meeting; Kerry takes over
Canada will voice its concerns over what it calls Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine during a meeting of the eight nations that make up the Arctic Council this week.”Canada will use the Arctic Council ministerial meeting as an opportunity once again to deliver our tough message to Russia for their aggression against...
Questions raised about whether Canadian troops will inadavertenly train Nazi sympathizers in Ukraine
The Canadian government is confident that troops from Petawawa won’t end up instructing Neo Nazis and far right extremists when they begin their training mission in Ukraine this summer, but a former diplomat is warning it will be difficult to weed out such extremists as their militia units are now being integrated into Ukraine’s...
Canada offers $3.3M to effort to fight cybercrime in central America, Caribbean
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Canada is contributing $3.3 million to support measures to combat cybercrime in central America and the Caribbean.Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson made the announcement today at an international Internet security conference in the Netherlands.Nicholson says $2.8 million will go towards a joint project with...
