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how Canada and the U.S. will improve North America's overall defences, which military officials have warned are badly outdated.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

Ottawa protest racks up costs to city, businesses

Crowds that first arrived Friday have thinned out considerably on Parliament Hill and the surrounding area, where anti-COVID-19 restriction demonstrators have been protesting, and honking loudly, for days.

Ottawa protest racks up costs to city, businesses

1,236 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

There are 28,302 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 293,488 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 1,035 COVID-positive individuals are in hospital and 139 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

1,236 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

COVID-19 hospitalizations highest ever in B.C.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says 706 people have been hospitalized in the last week, but the numbers appear to be peaking. She says patients who contracted the dominant Omicron variant are going home in about half the time compared with those who are sickened with the Delta variant.

COVID-19 hospitalizations highest ever in B.C.

Wilson-Raybould outlines 'true reconciliation'

Jody Wilson-Raybould says allowing Indigenous self-determination would support the cultural, social and economic well-being of Indigenous Peoples, while giving nations, governments and industry the certainty needed during a transitional time.

Wilson-Raybould outlines 'true reconciliation'

NDP introduce bill to decriminalize drug use

Leader Jagmeet Singh is putting his weight behind the bill, tabled by his NDP colleague Gord Johns, decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of drugs including cocaine and heroin.

NDP introduce bill to decriminalize drug use

Erin O'Toole to face leadership review by caucus

He wrote that MPs who want him out are confused about what direction to take the Conservative party--which has been a source of concern under O'Toole's tenure.