Latest news with #Carignan
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Canada supports Golden Dome, considers joining US in defence project
Canada reaffirmed its close military ties with the US and spoke in support of President Donald Trump's proposed 'Golden Dome' missile defense system, which Ottawa is thinking about joining. 'From a defense perspective and on the military side, I collaborate very, very closely with my US counterparts,' General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, said in a Bloomberg TV interview on Friday. She was responding to a question on whether Washington remains a reliable partner. Also Read: India urges Canada to not give political space to pro-Khalistan elements The US-Canada alliance, long a pillar of North American security, has come under strain. Trump in March announced a 25% tariff on an array of Canadian goods, prompting its neighbor to impose retaliatory levies on some US products. The US president even suggested Canada should become America's 51st state. 'We're absolutely focused on defending our country and the Arctic region together with our neighbors,' Carignan said on the sidelines of the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. 'We can't change our geography.' Also Read: Canada seeks to build ties with India, says FM Anita Anand Trump last week detailed his ambitious effort to build a shield to protect the US from threats including ballistic missiles, hypersonics and advanced cruise missiles, saying that it would be fully operational by the end of his term. The technology for Trump's plan is unproven, particularly using space-based interceptors to knock down incoming ballistic missiles. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney last week confirmed that Canada was considering joining the US on the project, adding that their discussions were at an early stage. Carignan played down concerns that Canadian participation in the 'Golden Dome' could escalate tensions with Beijing or Moscow. China has repeatedly criticized the system, saying it risks creating a space arms race. Also Read: Indian human smuggler 'Dirty Harry' jailed after Gujarat family dies in blizzard on US-Canada border 'This is mostly a defense posture,' she said. 'A lot of work is ongoing at the moment to increase our presence in the Arctic as well as domain awareness. We need to be able to see what's coming.' Carignan also noted a shift in US focus toward the Indo-Pacific. 'Having many partners in the area contributing to the stability and the security in the region is extremely enabling,' she said. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who's also in Singapore, is rallying countries to counter what Washington describes as China's growing assertiveness in the region. In contrast, Beijing has called for Asian nations to stand united against external interference.
Hamilton Spectator
16-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Northern local government conference highlights climate action, housing, and reconciliation
The second day of the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) conference spotlighted the Nisga'a Nation's pioneering efforts in climate adaptation, sustainable housing, and reconciliation through projects in partnership with the Community Energy Association (CEA). The May 14 plenary session featured a presentation by Gaëtane Carignan, who works in climate leadership and energy retrofits at CEA (a non-profit society), and Kaitlyn Robinson, climate coordinator with the Nisga'a Lisims Government. Participants are undertaking an ambitious housing energy retrofitting initiative in the Nisga'a Nation, aiming to renovate approximately 900 homes across four villages located in northwestern British Columbia. Robinson explains that housing needs in her Nation are extremely urgent, with a large number of homes facing serious structural issues such as mould, electrical failures, foundation damage, roofing and gutter problems, and plumbing deficiencies. In addition, many homes suffer from significant energy efficiency challenges, including air leakage, poor insulation, heat loss, high energy bills, inadequate ventilation, condensation buildup, and aging infrastructure. The high cost of both energy and home renovation further compounds these issues. Together, these conditions put community members at increased climate-related risk, as many homes are just not equipped to adapt to changing environmental conditions. 'This is not just a housing issue, it is a climate issue, a health issue,' said Robinson. The energy retrofitting process follows a coordinated, community-driven approach that brings together homeowners, contractors, and local leaders. It starts with assessing the home's current condition and then uses the Integrated Design Process (IDP) to plan upgrades based on building science and homeowner priorities. The focus is on improving the building envelope first, such as sealing drafts, upgrading insulation, and installing efficient windows, followed by upgrading heating, ventilation, and appliances. Local contractors are trained and held accountable for quality work, while the process also supports Nisga'a employment and mentorship. The presentation also highlighted housing retrofitting as a form of decolonization and a practical way to put the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) into action. Carignan explained that this work is about more than fixing homes. It's about reconnecting with the land and rebuilding relationships with First Nations that were damaged by colonization. It is part of the broader reconciliation process, rooted in Indigenous leadership and vision, and focused on co-creating solutions that address long-standing inequities in housing and energy systems, she said. 'Building relationships is productive,' said Carignan. 'Retrofitting a home is not just about energy use; it's about improving the indoor air quality, extending the life of the home, producing long-term maintenance,' said Robinson. 'After retrofitting, homes are more comfortable and better equipped to handle extreme weather like storms, wildfires, and heat waves. Energy use drops significantly; homes switch to cleaner fuels and greenhouse gas emissions are greatly reduced. Canada and British Columbia have set a net-zero emissions target for 2050. To meet this goal, local governments will need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2030, according to the CEA. The association pitches itself to support local governments and Indigenous communities in transitioning to a low-carbon future by identifying sources of greenhouse gas emissions and implementing practical solutions. In the Skeena North region, they emphasize that local governments have a key role to play, as 48 per cent of the emissions they control come from buildings. The remaining chunk of emissions can be addressed through better transportation options and waste management. 'That's why Community Energy Association is interested in working with local governments and the new communities to better both new construction and retrofits,' said Carignan. CEA has hosted various retrofitting workshops and activities across northern B.C., including in communities such as Terrace, Prince George, Kitimat, Fort St. John, Smithers, and more. The work of the Community Energy Association and the Nisga'a Nation received loud applause at the NCLGA conference. NCLGA is a non-profit organization representing more than 240 elected officials in 42 local, regional and First Nations governments spanning from 100 Mile House in the south to the Yukon border in the north and from the Alberta border in the east to Haida Gwaii in the west. The North Coast Regional District, the City of Prince Rupert, and the District of Port Edward co-hosted the 2025 conference from May 12 to 15.
CBC
20-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Canada short 13,000 troops, but U.S. military ties are ‘solid,' top soldier says
The Canadian Armed Forces is still short some 13,000 troops, but top soldier Gen. Jennie Carignan says the military is working to modernize the recruitment process to boost those numbers. Carignan also said despite recent tensions, Canada-U.S. military ties are 'solid.'
CBC
19-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Top general says military relationship with U.S. is solid as Trump's threats continue
The country's top military commander delivered a keep calm and carry on message on Wednesday in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated threats to annex Canada. Gen. Jennie Carignan says the military-to-military relationship between the two countries is solid and has not shown the signs of the political strain that has racked the two nations. "The relationship that we have with our American military colleagues is very stable and very strong," Carignan said as the Department of National Defence released an update on how the military will rebuild its recruiting system. Trump has been critical of Canada's level of defence spending and its inability — up until late unwillingness — to hit the NATO two per cent of gross domestic product target. He complained Canada relies on the United States to defend it, claiming the country is not viable and would welcome annexation. WATCH | Top general says CAF-U.S. military relationship 'solid' and 'stable': CAF-U.S. military relationship 'very stable,' Canada's top general says 2 hours ago Duration 1:19 Carignan said this is not something that has entered the conversation with her American counterparts. "Militarily, we're not there at all," she said, while pointing to the level to which the two nations rely on each other through the continental air defence command, NORAD. Another senior defence official noted there's been a steady increase in the number of Canadians volunteering to join the military, but Commodore Pascal Belhumeur, who is running the branch in charge of recruiting, said they're not able to specifically attribute the rise to the political tension and surge in patriotism. "So far we're not tracking anyone who's coming in saying that that's the reason," Belhumeur said. He said the military's prospect surveys will provide insight into whether there is a shift in why more people are enlisting. The Armed Forces are climbing out of a pretty big recruitment hole, partly created by the effects of the pandemic and partly the result of the reputational hit of the sexual misconduct scandal that affected a number of former senior leaders. The number of full-time — or regular force — members is currently hovering around 65,000, according to a chart released Wednesday. That's roughly 6,500 members short of the military's authorized full-time strength, which was set in the Liberal government's old 2017 defence policy. The Defence Department has struggled to hit its recruiting goals and when combined with the number of people deciding to return to civilian life, the military has seen a growing shortage of personnel that Defence Minister Bill Blair referred to last year as a potential "death spiral." Throughout the military there are acute shortages in various trades, most especially in the navy. The military has blamed its inability to hit its recruiting targets on an outdated, glacial system of enrolment that has literally seen tens of thousands of volunteers waiting months for an answer. Senior military officials, led by Carignan, walked journalists through the series of changes that are being made, including a revised security clearance system for permanent residents who want to join, a streamlined online application process and an expanded basic training system. Meeting authorized capacity still years away Even still — and despite rising global tension and political uncertainty surrounding the Canada-U.S. relationship — the military is not expected to reach its current authorized strength until April 2029. "This is the goal that we have internally," Carignan said, "so that we can start building additional personnel on that. But if we can do it faster, we'll do it." Lt.-Gen. Lise Bourgon, chief of military personnel, said she feels the pressure. Carignan, she said, gave her "a very clear order" to reach the goal. "But if everything goes well, we'll reach that." Prior to retiring as chief of the defence staff last year, former general Wayne Eyre warned in an interview with CBC News that the recruiting hole the military was climbing out of was much deeper than most realized. That's because the Liberal government has ordered new equipment, such as F-35 fighters, and it plans to buy submarines. The new capabilities, Eyre said, will require more personnel.
