Military

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US vice-president Joe Biden walk down the Hall of Honour on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, December 9, 2016. U.S. President Joe Biden’s long-anticipated first trip to Ottawa this week is expected to put Canada’s defence spending back under the microscope.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US vice-president Joe Biden walk down the Hall of Honour on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, December 9, 2016. U.S. President Joe Biden’s long-anticipated first trip to Ottawa this week is expected to put Canada’s defence spending back under the microscope.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces march in Calgary on July 8, 2016. The Canadian Armed Forces is rolling out a new housing benefit to help troops posted to expensive communities.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Military expecting to save $30M per year with targeted housing benefit for troops

New housing benefit will be tied to salary to help those who need it most

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces march in Calgary on July 8, 2016. The Canadian Armed Forces is rolling out a new housing benefit to help troops posted to expensive communities.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
This image provided by Betty Seaman shows Navy A-6 Intruder pilot Jim Seaman. Navy Capt. Jim Seaman died of lung cancer at the age of 61. His widow Betty Seaman has been part of a large group of aviators and their surviving spouses who have lobbied Congress and the Pentagon for years to look into the number of cancers aviators and ground crew face. In a new study the Pentagon has found alarmingly higher rates of cancer among aviators than in the U.S. general population, and has further reviews planned. (Betty Seaman via AP)

Higher cancer rates found in military pilots, ground crews: U.S. study

Military members at far greater risk of developing disease than general American population

This image provided by Betty Seaman shows Navy A-6 Intruder pilot Jim Seaman. Navy Capt. Jim Seaman died of lung cancer at the age of 61. His widow Betty Seaman has been part of a large group of aviators and their surviving spouses who have lobbied Congress and the Pentagon for years to look into the number of cancers aviators and ground crew face. In a new study the Pentagon has found alarmingly higher rates of cancer among aviators than in the U.S. general population, and has further reviews planned. (Betty Seaman via AP)
FILE - In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party at its headquarters in Pyongyang, North Korea, Feb. 26, 2023. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: “KCNA” which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File)

North Korea launches missile into sea amid U.S.–South Korea drills

Officials say no immediate threat, but launch a clear provocation

FILE - In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party at its headquarters in Pyongyang, North Korea, Feb. 26, 2023. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: “KCNA” which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File)
Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin speaks to members of the media following an acquittal in his case at a Gatineau, Que., courthouse on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. Fortin, a senior military officer who was acquitted on a sexual assault charge late last year, has filed a $6 million lawsuit against the Canadian government. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Senior military officer acquitted of sexual assault sues government, PM for $6M

Suit alleges Dany Fortin suffered damages due to defamation and misfeasance in public office

Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin speaks to members of the media following an acquittal in his case at a Gatineau, Que., courthouse on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. Fortin, a senior military officer who was acquitted on a sexual assault charge late last year, has filed a $6 million lawsuit against the Canadian government. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
HMCS Windsor, one of Canada’s Victoria-class long range patrol submarines, returns to port in Halifax on June 20, 2018. The clock is ticking for the Canadian military to decide whether to replace its submarines, as Canada’s closest allies push ahead with plans to build new fleets. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Canada at crossroads on submarines as cost, need butt heads and allies press ahead

No formal commitment to a new submarine fleet after Victoria-class vessels retired in the mid-2030s

HMCS Windsor, one of Canada’s Victoria-class long range patrol submarines, returns to port in Halifax on June 20, 2018. The clock is ticking for the Canadian military to decide whether to replace its submarines, as Canada’s closest allies push ahead with plans to build new fleets. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Minister of National Defence Anita Anand arrives to appear as a witness at the Standing Committee on National Defence, regarding the surveillance balloon from the People’s Republic of China, in Ottawa, on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Defence chief wanted CF-18s to destroy object over Yukon, but fighters were delayed

‘I gave direction that it’d be preferable for the Canadian CF-18s to do the shoot down’

Minister of National Defence Anita Anand arrives to appear as a witness at the Standing Committee on National Defence, regarding the surveillance balloon from the People’s Republic of China, in Ottawa, on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A software problem that caused a Canadian military helicopter to crash off the coast of Greece in 2020 will be fixed on the federal government’s dime. A CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, flies near the base in Eastern Passage, N.S. on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Ottawa on hook for software glitch that caused deadly military helicopter crash

Planned software upgrades fall outside the scope of the government’s existing $9-billion contract

A software problem that caused a Canadian military helicopter to crash off the coast of Greece in 2020 will be fixed on the federal government’s dime. A CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, flies near the base in Eastern Passage, N.S. on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Defence Minister Anita Anand says Canada is sending four of its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. A Canadian Forces Leopard 2A4 tank displays it’s firepower on the firing range at CFB Gagetown in Oromocto, N.B., on Thursday, September 13, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Smith

Canada sending four more battle tanks, ammo to Ukraine as rallies held across Canada

Trudeau calls Putin ‘weak’ and ‘cowardly’ during Friday media event

Defence Minister Anita Anand says Canada is sending four of its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. A Canadian Forces Leopard 2A4 tank displays it’s firepower on the firing range at CFB Gagetown in Oromocto, N.B., on Thursday, September 13, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Smith
Ships are framed by pieces of melting sea ice in Frobisher Bay in Iqaluit, Nunavut on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. The Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces confirm that they are aware of recent efforts by China to conduct surveillance operations in Canadian airspace and waters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canadian military says it has tracked, stopped China surveillance in Arctic waters

‘We will challenge China when we ought to, and we will co-operate with China when we need to’

Ships are framed by pieces of melting sea ice in Frobisher Bay in Iqaluit, Nunavut on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. The Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces confirm that they are aware of recent efforts by China to conduct surveillance operations in Canadian airspace and waters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
President Joe Biden says the three unknown flying objects he ordered shot down over the U.S. and Canada earlier this month were likely no danger to national security. Biden speaks about the Chinese surveillance balloon and other unidentified objects shot down by the U.S. military, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, in Washington. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Evan Vucci

Downed objects most likely benign, Biden says, vowing new rules for U.S. skies

‘Nothing right now suggests they were related to China’s spy balloon program’

President Joe Biden says the three unknown flying objects he ordered shot down over the U.S. and Canada earlier this month were likely no danger to national security. Biden speaks about the Chinese surveillance balloon and other unidentified objects shot down by the U.S. military, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, in Washington. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Evan Vucci
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau inspects an honour guard as he arrives in Nassau, Bahamas, on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Trudeau pledges more help for Haiti, stops short of suggesting military intervention

Feds to provide $12.3 million in new humanitarian aid, $10 million to support migrants in region

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau inspects an honour guard as he arrives in Nassau, Bahamas, on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
In this photo provided by Chad Fish, the remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and it’s contrail seen below it, Feb. 4, 2023. Canada’s preeminent ufologist has seen an uptick in reported sightings of unidentified flying objects in recent days suggesting more Canadians are turning their eyes to the sky after U.S. fighter jets shot down three separate objects over the weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Chad Fish

‘Closer eye to the skies:’ researcher sees uptick in sightings of UFOs

‘People are keeping a closer eye to the skies and thankfully are reporting them’

In this photo provided by Chad Fish, the remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and it’s contrail seen below it, Feb. 4, 2023. Canada’s preeminent ufologist has seen an uptick in reported sightings of unidentified flying objects in recent days suggesting more Canadians are turning their eyes to the sky after U.S. fighter jets shot down three separate objects over the weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Chad Fish
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III participates in exercise Amalgam Dart July 6, 2022 out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. On Feb. 15, NORAD aircrafts will be flying off the coasts of B.C. and Washington for an air defence exercise. (Credit: Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy/ NORAD)

NORAD running air defence exercise off coast of B.C.

Exercise not related to unidentified objects shot down over North America recently, force says

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III participates in exercise Amalgam Dart July 6, 2022 out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. On Feb. 15, NORAD aircrafts will be flying off the coasts of B.C. and Washington for an air defence exercise. (Credit: Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy/ NORAD)
In this photo provided by Chad Fish, the remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, Feb. 4, 2023. Canada and the United States are eyeing the sky with suspicion these days — as well as the shared continental defence system that’s supposed to be watching it for them. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Chad Fish via AP, File

Airborne incursions offer clear evidence that Norad needs an upgrade: U.S. expert

Analyst says recent flurry of overhead encounters represent a lack of capability, attention

In this photo provided by Chad Fish, the remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, Feb. 4, 2023. Canada and the United States are eyeing the sky with suspicion these days — as well as the shared continental defence system that’s supposed to be watching it for them. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Chad Fish via AP, File
A model of a F-35 fighter jet sits on the desk of Lt.-Gen. Eric Kenny as he poses for a portrait at the National Defence Headquarters (Carling) in Ottawa on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Personnel shortage challenging Air Force’s plan to introduce F-35, other equipment

‘The Air Force of 2035 is going to look completely different than the Air Force in 2023’

A model of a F-35 fighter jet sits on the desk of Lt.-Gen. Eric Kenny as he poses for a portrait at the National Defence Headquarters (Carling) in Ottawa on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The U.S. military detected and shot down an unidentified aerial object Friday near Alaska’s border with Canada. (AP Digital Embed)

US jets down 4 objects in 8 days, unprecedented in peacetime

A U.S. fighter jet shot down an “unidentified object” over Lake Huron…

The U.S. military detected and shot down an unidentified aerial object Friday near Alaska’s border with Canada. (AP Digital Embed)
FILE - Students in the new Army prep course run around a track during physical training exercises at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., Aug. 27, 2022. The new program prepares recruits for the demands of basic training. The Army is trying to recover from its worst recruiting year in decades, and officials say those recruiting woes are based on traditional hurdles. The Army is offering new programs, advertising and enticements to try to change those views and reverse the decline. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford, File)

U.S. army sees safety, not ‘wokeness,’ as top recruiting obstacle

Republicans blaming vaccine requirements and ‘wokeness’ for recruitment struggles

FILE - Students in the new Army prep course run around a track during physical training exercises at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., Aug. 27, 2022. The new program prepares recruits for the demands of basic training. The Army is trying to recover from its worst recruiting year in decades, and officials say those recruiting woes are based on traditional hurdles. The Army is offering new programs, advertising and enticements to try to change those views and reverse the decline. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 6, 2019, file photo, a U.S. fighter jet prepares to land on the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan following their patrol at the international waters off the South China Sea. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)

U.S. holds drills in South China Sea amid tensions with China

China claims sovereignty over much of the contested waterway

FILE - In this Aug. 6, 2019, file photo, a U.S. fighter jet prepares to land on the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan following their patrol at the international waters off the South China Sea. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
This image provided by the U.S. Navy shows sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recovering a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. Canada’s defence minister says the United States is still trying to determine whether China’s surveillance balloon collected any intelligence from either country when it was over North America last week. THE CANADIAN PRESS-U.S. Navy via AP *MANDATORY CREDIT*
This image provided by the U.S. Navy shows sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recovering a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. Canada’s defence minister says the United States is still trying to determine whether China’s surveillance balloon collected any intelligence from either country when it was over North America last week. THE CANADIAN PRESS-U.S. Navy via AP *MANDATORY CREDIT*