military

Wednesday August 2, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 2, 2017

Saudi Arabia reportedly using Canadian military trucks against its own civilians

The Canadian government is investigating reports that Saudi Arabia is using armoured vehicles made in Canada against its own civilians – allegations that have prompted renewed scrutiny over Ottawa’s recent decision to sign off on a billion-dollar arms deal with the kingdom.

October 23, 2015

Videos and photos posted on social media in recent days allegedly show Riyadh using Canadian equipment in a violent crackdown on minority Shia dissidents in eastern Saudi Arabia. Last week at least five people were killed as security forces flushed out suspected militants in the town of Awamiya.

Several sources told the Canadian newspaper the Globe and Mail that the vehicles being used appeared to be Gurkha RPVs made in Ontario by Terradyne Armoured Vehicles.

Canadian officials said they were deeply concerned by the reports. “We are looking at these claims very seriously … and have immediately launched a review,” Justin Trudeau told reporters.

June 13, 2017

In 2016, Saudi Arabia ranked among the largest importers of Canada-made military goods, purchasing more than C$142m worth of goods – nearly 20% of all Canadian military exports that year.

The ministry of global affairs said it was concerned over the escalating violence in eastern Saudi Arabia. In a statement issued last week, it highlighted the causalities among civilians and security forces and urged Riyadh to confront its security challenges in “a manner that abides by international human rights law”.

Days later, the ministry said the government was actively seeking more information about the reports of civilian casualties and claims that Canadian-made vehicles were involved. “If it is found that Canadian exports have been used to commit serious violations of human rights, the minister will take action,” a spokesperson for department told the Guardian. He did not answer questions around what kinds of actions this could entail.

Terradyne Armoured Vehicles did not respond to a request for comment. (Source: The Guardian) 

 

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Saturday June 17, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday June 17, 2017

China-based Hytera returns with matching bid for Vancouver’s Norsat International

September 23, 2016

Norsat International Inc., the Vancouver tech firm at the centre of duelling acquisition bids, says China-based Hytera Communications has matched a $67.3 million US rival takeover offer from an American fund manager.

Hytera, which manufactures radio transceivers and radio systems, made its friendly takeover offer for Norsat last year and received clearance under the Investment Canada Act this month.

April 26, 2017

But Privet Fund Management LLC — a U.S. company that already owns 17.6 per cent of Norsat’s equity — emerged with a rival bid this week that was 25 cents per share above Hytera’s offer of $11.25 US.

Although Hytera has now raised its offer to $11.50 US per share and amended the break fees in line with Privet’s bid, Norsat says there’s no assurance that the transaction will get all necessary approvals and be completed.

Hytera’s proposal has sparked a heated political debate over national security risks.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said this week that the U.S. was consulted before Industry Canada gave its approval early in June. But Norsat says it also needs approval from the federal government’s industrial technologies office.

Norsat announced Friday that its previously adjourned shareholders meeting will resume next Thursday in Richmond, B.C. (Source: CBC News) 

 

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Tuesday June 13, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday June 13, 2017

More muscle in our military

The world has changed profoundly since Justin Trudeau became Canada’s prime minister just over a year and a half ago.

May 26, 2017

Last week, Trudeau’s Liberal government profoundly changed how Canada will defend its interests in this world.

On Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland boldly declared that Canada will blaze its own trail through the international landscape because this country can no longer depend on the United States to lead.

On Wednesday, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan committed the government to $62 billion in new military spending over the next 20 years to guide and protect Canada on that pathway.

February 9, 2016

There will be 15 new warships and 88 new fighter jets — more planes than originally planned — for our armed forces.

There will be 5,000 more regular and reserve personnel, plus a defence budget that will rise from the current $18.9 billion a year to $32.7 billion a year by 2027 — a substantial 73-per-cent increase.

This is a dramatic and timely shift for the government and one Canadians can welcome.

It’s also a notable pivot for Trudeau who, in the early days of government, preferred foreign aid over boots on the ground as a problem-solver.

Trudeau’s flower power is morphing into Freeland’s and Sajjan’s hard power. (Source: KW Record) 

 

Friday May 26, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday May 26, 2017

Trudeau praises benefits of NATO intelligence sharing amid anger at U.S.

February 22, 2017

Canada’s deeply entrenched role in the fight against global extremism is more focused these days on intelligence-gathering — and sharing — than on putting more boots on the ground in the Middle East, Justin Trudeau suggested Thursday.

“The track record has shown that collaboration and co-operation between allies, friends and partners has saved lives and keeps all of our citizens safe,” Trudeau said at the outset of a daylong NATO meeting in Brussels.

October 6, 2014

“We are going to continue to collaborate and to work together to ensure we’re doing everything we can to keep citizens and our communities safe.”

Trudeau suggested the role that Canada now plays in fighting terrorism is through its membership in the so-called Five Eyes, an intelligence-sharing alliance that also includes the U.S., the U.K., Australia and New Zealand.

February 22, 2005

“We continue to be an important and trusted ally in the global intelligence community,” said Trudeau, who noted he would not go into detail.

“There are many, many occasions upon which we have directly participated and in other occasions directly benefited form information-sharing between security agencies and at the highest level.”

And while NATO agreed to assess its “level of support and the future of the mission” in Afghanistan, Trudeau betrayed no enthusiasm for sending soldiers back.

July 22, 2013

“We have no troops in Afghanistan at this time, but we are happy to be supportive in other ways.”

Trump has also been vocal about his demand for the other members of NATO to pick up their fair share of the tab when it comes to defence spending. Canada spends just over one per cent of its GDP on defence, just half of NATO’s target.

The Liberal government says its contribution is bigger than the numbers suggest, citing its commitment to send up to 455 troops to head up a multinational mission in Latvia, as part of efforts to curb Russian aggression in the Baltics. (Source: Toronto Star)

 

Saturday December 17, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Saturday December 17, 2016 Donald TrumpÕs Denial About Russia No matter how divided our politics and our times, Americans can agree thatÊour status as a strong, democratic nation rests on the bedrock of free andÊfair elections. That confidence is what was targeted whenÊRussia, one of ourÊoldest, most determined foreign adversaries, invaded American computerÊnetworks and released thousands of pages of documents to undermine theÊlegitimacy of the 2016 election. This news emerged last summer. Last month, theÊCentral IntelligenceÊAgencyÊshared aÊfurther conclusion,Êbased on months of analysis, that theÊRussian hacking was intended to favorÊDonald Trump. ÒThere shouldnÕt be any doubt in anybodyÕs mind,Ó Adm. Michael Rogers,Êthe director of the National Security Agency and commander of UnitedÊStates Cyber Command,ÊsaidÊrecently. ÒThis was not something that wasÊdone casually, this was not something that was done by chance, this was notÊa target that was selected purely arbitrarily,Ó he said. ÒThis was a consciousÊeffort by a nation-state to attempt to achieve a specific effect.Ó Extrapolating motive from evidence is always tricky. But after the C.I.A.Êprovided classified briefings for Congress and the White House, members ofÊboth political parties were convinced. But not President-elect Trump. Mr. TrumpÕs instant rejection of the C.I.A. findings as Òridiculous,Ó based onÊno review of its work, echoed MoscowÕs. ÒThis tale of ÔhacksÕ resembles aÊbanal brawl between American security officials over spheres of influence,ÓÊMaria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry,Êwrote on Facebook. Mr. TrumpÊsaidÊof American security officials, ÒTheyÕreÊfighting among themselves.Ó (Continued: New York Times) USA, Russia, Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Vladimir Putin, Red Square, Diplomacy, military, politburo, cabinet

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday December 17, 2016

Donald Trump’s Denial About Russia

No matter how divided our politics and our times, Americans can agree that our status as a strong, democratic nation rests on the bedrock of free and fair elections. That confidence is what was targeted when Russia, one of our oldest, most determined foreign adversaries, invaded American computer networks and released thousands of pages of documents to undermine the legitimacy of the 2016 election.

Reminiscent of the Cold War days - the Soviet politburo, powerful, stern, disciplined, shrouded in mystery. Downright scary.

Reminiscent of the Cold War days – the Soviet politburo, powerful, stern, disciplined, shrouded in mystery. Downright scary.

This news emerged last summer. Last month, the Central Intelligence Agency shared a further conclusion, based on months of analysis, that the Russian hacking was intended to favor Donald Trump.

“There shouldn’t be any doubt in anybody’s mind,” Adm. Michael Rogers, the director of the National Security Agency and commander of United States Cyber Command, said recently. “This was not something that was done casually, this was not something that was done by chance, this was not a target that was selected purely arbitrarily,” he said. “This was a conscious effort by a nation-state to attempt to achieve a specific effect.”

Extrapolating motive from evidence is always tricky. But after the C.I.A. provided classified briefings for Congress and the White House, members of both political parties were convinced.

But not President-elect Trump.

Mr. Trump’s instant rejection of the C.I.A. findings as “ridiculous,” based on no review of its work, echoed Moscow’s. “This tale of ‘hacks’ resembles a banal brawl between American security officials over spheres of influence,” Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, wrote on Facebook. Mr. Trump said of American security officials, “They’re fighting among themselves.” (Continued: New York Times)

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