March 20, 2018 | Local, Aerospace
From National Defence
March 19, 2018, Ottawa, ON — National Defence / Global Affairs Canada
Canada is committed to building a more peaceful and prosperous world. Ensuring the safety and security of our citizens – and those of our allies – means working to confront instability and conflict around the world. Canada's support for United Nations peacekeeping will help vulnerable and marginalized communities build a better future for themselves.
Last November, in Vancouver, the Government of Canada announced its return to peace operations, including:
As part of Canada's return to peace operations, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the Government of Canada's second smart pledge: a commitment to deploy an Aviation Task Force to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) for a period of 12 months.
The Aviation Task Force will include Chinook helicopters to provide urgently needed transport and logistics capacity for the MINUSMA mission, as well as Griffon helicopters to provide armed escort and protection. The Task Force will be accompanied by a number of Canadian Armed Forces personnel for support. Canada remains committed to advancing gender equality in its deployment.
Canada's contribution will join 57 MINUSMA partner countries in their continued efforts to bring sustainable peace and stability to Mali and the Sahel. Today's announcement builds on the Government's significant development, peace and security initiatives in the region.
In the coming days, the Government will register its pledge with the UN, and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will begin their planning process, in conjunction with the UN, partners and the host nation.
“As a responsible member of the international community, we recognize the importance of working collaboratively with our partners to promote peace and security. Supported by our diplomatic negotiations, I am confident we can help make a real difference in this region through the deployment of the Aviation Task Force.”
Minister of National Defence, Hon. Harjit S. Sajjan
“Today's smart pledge is another way Canada is contributing its expertise to create a safer, more peaceful world. We are committed to improving the effectiveness of UN peace operations. We are doing this by working with partner countries to increase the meaningful participation of women, through the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations, implementing the Vancouver Principles to end the recruitment and use of child soldiers, and providing specialized training to meet the needs of the UN.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P
During the UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial conference hosted by Canada in Vancouver in November 2017, Canada pledged to improve the effectiveness of UN peace operations in a number of ways.
Canada committed a number of “smart pledges” of high value military capabilities to be deployed in a 5-year timeframe with planned and predictable rotations with other member states. They are:
The Elsie Initiative for Peace Operations is a Canadian-led pilot project to test new ways of eliminating barriers to the participation of women police and military in peace operations. Canada will lead this search for a breakthrough, working closely with a Contact Group of countries who will bring their experiences, expertise and political commitment to the project. A tailored package of technical assistance and training will be offered to a select partner country (or two), and an innovative financial mechanism will be designed to incentivize progress among countries who contribute police and military to UN operations.
Byrne Furlong
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-3100
Email: byrne.furlong@forces.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
Adam Austen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Email: Adam.Austen@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
Phone: 343-203-7700
Email: media@international.gc.ca
April 17, 2023 | Local, Other Defence
More than 60 of this country's former top security officials, military commanders and politicians - along with a former top Supreme Court justice - have signed an open letter imploring the Liberal government to take national security and defence more seriously.
August 24, 2020 | Local, Aerospace
Canadian Businesses with Aerospace Capabilities, Remote Piloted Systems and Autonomous Technologies Are Encouraged to Apply SAN DIEGO, Aug. 19, 2020 /CNW/ -- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), announced that it will engage Canadian companies to participate in the development and success of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian® RPAS. Companies with an interest in participating can apply using GA-ASI's web-based participation request form. "GA-ASI is always looking to build on our existing Canadian industry relationships," said Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI. "A strong North American industrial partnership contributes to the growth and success of our domestic and international endeavors. Team SkyGuardian Canada is aimed at building long-term relationships that advance Remotely Piloted Systems and Autonomous Technologies (RPS-AT) and developing sustainable jobs in Canada." Companies with proven aerospace and defense capabilities in the following areas are encouraged to apply: Aircraft Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Sensor Data Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (PED) Airborne Sensors/Payloads Global Supply Chain for aircraft components & manufacturing Research and Development (R&D) related projects for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Canadian companies are invited to submit a request to participate, along with their company profiles and additional information requested through the Strategic Industry Engagement Request form, located at https://www.ga-asi.com/canada-industry-engagement. The registration site will remain open until September 19, 2020. Companies will be notified in October if they have been selected to participate. Hi-resolution images of MQ-9B SkyGuardian are available to qualified media outlets from GA-ASI. For more information on Team SkyGuardian Canada, go to http://www.ga-asi.com/teamskyguardiancanada. About GA-ASI General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than six million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent flight that enables situational awareness and rapid strike. The company also produces a variety of ground control stations and sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas. For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com. SkyGuardian, SeaGuardian, Predator and Lynx are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. GA-ASI Media Relations General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. +1 (858) 524-8101 ASI-MediaRelations@ga-asi.com SOURCE General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/ga-asi-to-host-strategic-industry-engagements-in-canada-868147819.html
September 22, 2022 | Local, Security
As Canadians play, work, and explore outdoors, search and rescue personnel stand ready to respond when someone goes missing or is in distress. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the search and rescue community by providing them with the tools and technology they need to best serve Canadians and ensure a seamless approach to operations across the country. Today, on behalf of the Honourable Bill Blair, President of the Queen's Privy Council and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, Parliamentary Secretary Yasir Naqvi announced $1.4 million in funding for Counter Crisis Technology Inc. The funding, available through Public Safety Canada's Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund, will support the development and implementation of a shared incident command system software solution for ground search and rescue volunteers and employees, including police services across the country. The new system will improve ground search and rescue, building on existing technology to enhance coordination between search and rescue organizations, by supporting information, data and knowledge sharing between jurisdictions. It will deliver and support an integrated solution to police services across Canada, fostering mutual aid, cooperation, and improving disaster response capabilities and outcomes for Canadians. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2022/09/government-of-canada-invests-14-million-to-improve-search-and-rescue-in-canada.html