Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Permanent residents can apply to join Armed Forces

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 05 Dec, 2022 03:48 PM
  • Permanent residents can apply to join Armed Forces

OTTAWA - Permanent residents can now apply to join the Canadian Armed Forces, regardless of whether they have been trained by a foreign military.

It's the latest effort by Canada's military to boost recruitment numbers, which are lagging well behind the target of adding 5,900 new members by March.

Officials have blamed a series of factors including the COVID-19 pandemic and reputational issues stemming from a number of high-profile sexual misconduct cases for the current shortfall of nearly 8,000 soldiers, sailors and aviators.

Until now, permanent residents in Canada could sign up only if they were skilled professionals who were trained by foreign militaries, but the federal government is now broadening the pool of applicants.

The Department of National Defence says joining the military can help permanent residents gain citizenship, in part because their applications are given priority by immigration officials.

On October, chief of the defence staff Gen. Wayne Eyre ordered an immediate halt to all non-essential activities in favour of boosting military recruitment and retention.

The Armed Forces has also been pushing for greater diversity in its ranks, with targeted recruiting of under-represented groups and efforts to create a more inclusive workplace by doing things like easing dress rules.

MORE National ARTICLES

21 year old Sikh woman, Pawanpreet Kaur, shot dead outside gas station in Mississauga

21 year old Sikh woman, Pawanpreet Kaur,  shot dead outside gas station in Mississauga
Police are on a lookout for the suspect who was dressed in all dark clothing and was observed leaving the scene on foot following the incident. Calling it a targeted incident, the police has launched a homicide investigation. 

21 year old Sikh woman, Pawanpreet Kaur, shot dead outside gas station in Mississauga

Canada to fund programs for immigrant health staff

Canada to fund programs for immigrant health staff
Minister of Immigration Sean Fraser says the federal government is calling for proposals for projects that offer Canadian work experience for internationally trained health professionals or streamline the process that recognizes international medical credentials.

Canada to fund programs for immigrant health staff

Chinese immigration to Canada record high from 2015, as some flee zero-COVID strategy

Chinese immigration to Canada record high from 2015, as some flee zero-COVID strategy
Tiffany, a Richmond, B.C., immigration consultant who only wanted her first name used for fear of reprisals against her family from China,said many of her clients say China’s zero-COVID strategy made them feel “their freedom and liberties have been stripped away."  

Chinese immigration to Canada record high from 2015, as some flee zero-COVID strategy

Pharmacists ask parents not to stockpile kids meds

Pharmacists ask parents not to stockpile kids meds
The federal government imported one million units of children's acetaminophen — commonly known as Tylenol — as emergency relief amid a shortage coupled with soaring rates of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV.

Pharmacists ask parents not to stockpile kids meds

B.C.'s COVID response praised for 'nimbleness'

B.C.'s COVID response praised for 'nimbleness'
The review made 26 findings, including recommendations around better communications, transparency, data collection and improved public trust. Farnworth said the government tried to be as open as possible during the pandemic and based its decisions on the best public health advice available.

B.C.'s COVID response praised for 'nimbleness'

B.C. special needs kids need more help: watchdog

B.C. special needs kids need more help: watchdog
While she supports the New Democrat government's recent decision to reverse a plan to phase out individual funding for children with autism, she said Premier David Eby also needs to provide equitable resources to help all children with special needs.

B.C. special needs kids need more help: watchdog