Thursday, July 9, 2026
    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.

    Prev Next

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Indigenous people more likely to die from opioids

    Indigenous people more likely to die from opioids
    Data from the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia shows that Indigenous people are five times more likely to experience an overdose and three times more likely to die than other residents. The gap has been further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, the authority said.

    Indigenous people more likely to die from opioids

    Unmarked graves news story of the year: CP poll

    Unmarked graves news story of the year: CP poll
    The discovery of unmarked graves at a former residential school in the B.C. Interior and the countrywide awakening it set off have been chosen as Canada’s news story of the year by editors in newsrooms across the country.

    Unmarked graves news story of the year: CP poll

    1,129 COVID19 cases over 3 days

    1,129 COVID19 cases over 3 days
    There are currently 2,949 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 217,705 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 185 individuals are currently in hospital and 72 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

    1,129 COVID19 cases over 3 days

    Dash cam footage sought in alleged assault of police officer

    Dash cam footage sought in alleged assault of police officer
    On December 2, 2021 a Richmond RCMP frontline officer was attempting to arrest a man for an alleged theft when the man allegedly assaulted the officer. During the attempted arrest, a struggle on the ground ensued. Prior to additional officers arriving, the man was able to break free and run from the area on foot.

    Dash cam footage sought in alleged assault of police officer

    27 teenagers crammed in a party bus with a dance floor, VPD issues fines in safety blitz

    27 teenagers crammed in a party bus with a dance floor, VPD issues fines in safety blitz
    Officers found 27 teenagers crammed inside a party bus with a dance floor. The bus had been hired to take the teens downtown for a 17-year-old’s birthday party. VPD officers are now recommending 27 counts of failing to provide a chaperone for passengers under 19, allowing open liquor in a vehicle, and operating with too many passengers.    

    27 teenagers crammed in a party bus with a dance floor, VPD issues fines in safety blitz

    Suspect sprays bear spray in Pacific Centre Mall and steals purse worth $1800

    Suspect sprays bear spray in Pacific Centre Mall and steals purse worth $1800
    The robbery occurred around 6 p.m. on December 3, as holiday shoppers were visiting the Dunsmuir Street retailer. The suspect, who was masked, entered the store and deployed a cloud of bear spray, then walked over to a display rack and stole a $1,800 purse, before exiting the store and walking east on Dunsmuir to Seymour Street.

    Suspect sprays bear spray in Pacific Centre Mall and steals purse worth $1800

    PrevNext