Bill Blair appreciates readiness of Nato Maritime Group 2

eAwazCanada News

Ottawa – Bill Blair, Canada`s Minister of National Defence, said recently that the country released Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence`strategy. He said: “This updated defence policy strengthens our Arctic sovereignty, invests in the members of the  Canadian Forces, delivers new capabilities, and increases defence production here in Canada. Also, courtesy of Standing Nato Maritime …

Minister Blair visits Inuvik to highlight Our North, Strong and Free

eAwazLocal News

Inuvik – Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, is in Inuvik for a three-day visit to highlight Canada’s Arctic-focused defence policy update, Our North, Strong and Free, and to meet with municipal, territorial, and Indigenous officials. Minister Blair is accompanied in Inuvik by Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs.. In his conversations, Minister Blair has made clear that as a growing …

Canada stands with Ukraine

eAwazCanada News

Ottawa – Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, spoke with Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. He said: “Our support for Ukraine is steadfast, and we will stand together until victory. We’ll continue to provide Ukraine with the tools it needs – and last month, Canada announced $500 million in additional military assistance.”  

Construction begins at on new Norad Quick Reaction Alert facility at Bagotville Base

eAwazCanada News

Bagotville – Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, announced the beginning of construction on a new Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) facility at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Bagotville. This facility will enable Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members to posture and deploy Canada’s incoming fleet of CF-35A fighter jets in a flight-ready state …

New military accommodations announced at CFB Esquimalt

eAwazLocal News

Esquimalt – Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, announced that a new, 480-room accommodations facility for Canadian Armed Forces members will be built at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt – and that a contract has been awarded to begin design work. The new 31,700 m2 facility for Junior Non-Commission Members will provide incoming Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) personnel with modern and functional infrastructure …

Bill Blair welcomes Australia’s Deputy PM in Vancouver

eAwazCanada News

Ottawa – Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence welcomed Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister for Defence, to Vancouver, British Columbia for a bilateral visit. The Ministers discussed Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and defence policy update, Our North, Strong and Free – and current and future efforts to strengthen the Canada-Australia defence relationship. Minister Blair and Deputy Prime …

P-8A Poseidon aircraft procurement bringing investment, economic growth to BC

eAwazLocal News

Richmond – Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, welcomed Boeing’s $61 million investment in the British Columbian aerospace sector. This investment is part of the Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITBs) included in Canada’s decision to procure up to 16 P-8A Poseidon aircraft from the United States Government and Boeing through the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA) project. Canada’s investment to procure …

Minister Blair announces $35.8m to equip Canadian troops in Latvia

eAwazCanada News

Ottawa – Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, announced that Canada is investing $35.8 million (including taxes) to deliver 90 Light Tactical Vehicles (LTVs) to Canadian Army personnel deployed in Latvia under Operation REASSURANCE – Canada’s mission in support of NATO’s assurance and deterrence measures. This announcement comes as Canada’s military footprint in Europe, including Latvia, is growing. As the Framework Nation for NATO’s Multinational Battle Group Latvia, soon …

Groundbreaking for new Military Family Resource Centre at Base Petawawa 

eAwazLocal News

Petawawa – On behalf of Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, Parliamentary Secretary Marie-France Lalonde led a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Military Family Resource Centre at 4th Canadian Division Support Base (CDSB) Petawawa. The $42 million facility will consolidate the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services Personnel Support Programs and Military Family Resource Centre from seven separate locations into a single facility for family …

Minister Blair concludes productive visit to DC for Nato Summit

eAwazCanada News

Washington – Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence concluded a productive visit to Washington, DC, where he and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, and Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre attended the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Leaders’ Summit – including meetings of the North Atlantic Council and NATO-Ukraine Council. At the Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Blair announced that Canada …