Defence minister welcomes warships home to B.C., highlights Pacific defence strategy
Canada's defence minister was in British Columbia on Monday to welcome home sailors aboard a pair of returning warships and to highlight the federal government's half-a-billion-dollar commitment to Pacific security.
Defence Minister Anita Anand described the western Pacific region, where HMCS Winnipeg and HMCS Vancouver were deployed since August, as a critical zone for Canada's economic and security interests.
"The Indo-Pacific is the fastest growing economic region in the world, and virtually every single security issue in the future will run through this region," Anand said in a statement marking the frigates' arrival at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt.
"Wherever I go, our allies and partners say that they want to see more of Canada – and through Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, that is exactly what we will deliver."
The strategy includes a multiyear investment of $493 million to strengthen Canada's naval presence in the Asia-Pacific region, most notably through the deployment of a third frigate annually from the West Coast.
While overseas, the two frigates visited eight countries, including Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand. The deployment also yielded the first-ever Canadian naval visit to Cambodia, according to the defence ministry.
HMCS Vancouver also participated in Operation Neon, the Canadian Armed Forces' ongoing mission to monitor and enforce United Nations sanctions against North Korea.
The vessel was joined on the mission by a CP-140 Aurora patrol plane, which was subjected to multiple midair intercepts by Chinese warplanes, as CTV News first reported.
"These operations are some of the Canadian Armed Forces' most critical endeavours abroad," Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command, said in a statement Monday.
"The Indo-Pacific region represents incredible challenges and opportunities both for the peace and prosperity of the globe," he added. "The CAF is committed to taking an active role alongside our friends and partners. Our sizable contribution highlights the enduring commitment of the CAF to ensure that the rules-based international order is respected."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.