National

Ballistic missile defence on the table: Anand

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 May, 2022 10:30 AM

OTTAWA - Defence Minister Anita Anand says the federal government is weighing whether Canada should join the U.S. in actively defending against intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Anand made the comment this morning as she provided an update of sorts on Ottawa's plans to modernize North America's aging defences with the U.S.

Anand told a conference hosted by the Canadian Global Affairs Institute that the government is taking "a full and comprehensive look" at ballistic missile defence as part of a larger review of what is needed to better protect North America from attack.

CGAI's After War Conference is kicking off! We are honoured to have Minister @AnitaAnandMP to open this day long event! pic.twitter.com/o8TM7U7dpQ
— Canadian Global Affairs Institute (@CAGlobalAffairs) May 10, 2022

Canada famously opted out of the U.S. ballistic missile defence program following an extremely heated national debate in 2005.

Yet the question of whether Canada should reconsider has repeatedly reared its head amid concerns about North Korea's growing nuclear arsenal and souring relations with Russia.

Anand also promised more details soon on how Canada and the U.S. will improve North America's overall defences, which military officials have warned are badly outdated.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada's groundhogs disagree on weather forecast

Nova Scotia's celebrity groundhog, Shubenacadie Sam, and Quebec's Fred la Marmotte both predicted a long, cold winter ahead, while Ontario's Wiarton Willie claimed an early spring is on the way.

Canada's groundhogs disagree on weather forecast

Hundreds using special code to avoid no-fly snags

A dozen of these travellers have been cleared to board an aircraft as a direct result of having the personal code since the program began in November 2020, says Public Safety Canada.

Hundreds using special code to avoid no-fly snags

CMA urges Canada to speed vaccine access globally

Raising the international vaccination rate in less prosperous countries is the only way to prevent the emergence of new COVID-19 variants that are prolonging the pandemic through an endless cycle of lockdowns and serious illness, said Dr. Katharine Smart, the president of the leading association of Canadian medical professionals.

CMA urges Canada to speed vaccine access globally

Jan. home sales slow, supply low: Vancouver board

The B.C. board says home sales totalled 2,285 las month, an almost five per cent decrease from 2,389 in January 2021 and a 15 per cent fall from 2,688 in December 2021.

Jan. home sales slow, supply low: Vancouver board

Omicron cases peak but path ahead uncertain

The Omicron wave appears to be cresting across the country, but it's difficult to predict what's next for the pandemic, experts say. Prof. Bernard Crespi, an evolutionary biologist at Simon Fraser University, said the development of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 gives clues as to what might come.

Omicron cases peak but path ahead uncertain

Shooting in Central Abbotsford at a local apartment results in arrests of two men

Charges of Aggravated Assault have been approved against 36-year-old Haman Lamar Benamaisia & 39-year-old Adam Marton. An additional count of Assault with a Weapon was approved against Mr. Marton.