Latest news with #DepartmentOfNationalDefence
CTV News
23-07-2025
- Science
- CTV News
Clearview Township chosen as transmit and receive site for the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar project
As part of Canada's plan to modernize the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the Department of National Defence is exploring the the first transmit and receive sites for the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) project. On Thursday, a preliminary receive site in Clearview Township was revealed, offering over 288 hectares of agricultural land. 'A-OTHR which provides early warning radar coverage and threat tracking and will significantly expand NORAD and the CAF's situational awareness of objects approaching and entering Canadian airspace from the North,' stated the Department of National Defence (DND). In June 2022, the Minister of National Defence announced Canada's plan to modernize its contribution to NORAD. This project is part of the country's $38.6 billion plan. Clearview Township, Ont. Site map of Clearview Township, Ont. site. (Department of National Defence) According to the Department of National Defence, initial work is anticipated to begin at the Kawartha Lakes and Clearview Township sites in winter 2026. 'The selection of the first two sites sets the foundation for further development and expansion and is a major milestone toward reinforcing Canada's security and sovereignty in the Arctic,' stated DND. DND says it will launch a public engagement period to provide more information and allow the public to share feedback and ask questions. A-OTHR concept A-OTHR provides early warning radar coverage and threat tracking and will significantly expand NORAD and the CAF's situational awareness of objects approaching and entering Canadian airspace from the North. (Department of National Defence) Up to four permanent sites will be required for the system's final two transmit and two receive locations. DND says it is currently exploring possible siting locations in southern Ontario. Over-the-horizon radar can conduct surveillance at far greater ranges than regular radar technology by bouncing radar beams off earth's ionosphere. DND plans to conduct several environmental and site studies before beginning work. The A-OTHR project could reach initial operational capability by the end of 2029.
SBS Australia
20-07-2025
- SBS Australia
Vietnam tourist boat capsizes in Ha Long Bay, killing at least 35
Three more bodies have been found after a tourist boat capsized in northern Vietnam's famous Ha Long Bay, raising the death toll to at least 35. The bodies of three crew members, trapped inside the cabin, had been found, the Department of National Defence Search and Rescue said on Sunday. Among the confirmed dead are eight children. A search is continuing for four who are still missing, according to Vietnamese state media. Authorities said earlier reports of 38 dead and five missing were incorrect. The boat, carrying 48 tourists and five crew members, capsized about 2pm on Saturday as Storm Wipha approached the country across the South China Sea. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged authorities to prioritise rescue operations. Ha Long Bay in Vietnam attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. Source: PA / Nguyen Van Hai-Barbier Jean Pierre Authorities mobilised 323 personnel for the rescue operation, including border guards, the navy, police and port authorities. Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spans over 1,500 sq km and is dotted with nearly 2,000 islands and islets. It is one of Vietnam's most popular tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year. Most of the tourists were from the capital Hanoi, local newspaper VnExpress reported. Rescue teams found 11 survivors, the state-run Vietnam News Agency said citing local authorities. A 14-year-old boy was reportedly among the survivors, and he was rescued four hours after being trapped in the overturned hull. Storm Wipha, the third typhoon to hit the South China Sea this year, is projected to make landfall along Vietnam's northern coast early next week. Weather linked to the storm also disrupted air travel. Noi Bai Airport said nine arriving flights were diverted to other airports and three departing flights were temporarily grounded on Saturday.
SBS Australia
20-07-2025
- Climate
- SBS Australia
Vietnam tourist boat capsizes in Ha Long Bay, killing at least 38
Three more bodies have been found after a tourist boat capsized in northern Vietnam's famous Ha Long Bay, raising the death toll to at least 38. The bodies of three crew members, trapped inside the cabin, had been found, the Department of National Defence Search and Rescue said on Sunday. Among the confirmed dead are eight children. The boat, carrying 48 tourists and five crew members, capsized about 2pm on Saturday as Storm Wipha approached the country across the South China Sea. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged authorities to prioritise rescue operations. Halong Bay in Vietnam attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. Source: PA / Nguyen Van Hai-Barbier Jean Pierre Authorities mobilised 323 personnel for the rescue operation, including border guards, the navy, police and port authorities. Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spans over 1,500 sq km and is dotted with nearly 2,000 islands and islets. It is one of Vietnam's most popular tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year. Most of the tourists were from the capital Hanoi, local newspaper VnExpress reported. Rescue teams found 11 survivors, the state-run Vietnam News Agency said citing local authorities. A 14-year-old boy was reportedly among the survivors, and he was rescued four hours after being trapped in the overturned hull. Storm Wipha, the third typhoon to hit the South China Sea this year, is projected to make landfall along Vietnam's northern coast early next week. Weather linked to the storm also disrupted air travel. Noi Bai Airport said nine arriving flights were diverted to other airports and three departing flights were temporarily grounded on Saturday.
CTV News
19-07-2025
- CTV News
Grenades, mortars and rockets: What to do if you find military explosives
Police responded to two separate munitions discoveries in the Maritimes this week, prompting the public to ask: What do you do if you find, dangerous, potentially explosive items? 'There are absolutely things that members of the public should do, and absolutely things that members of the public should not do,' says Nick Monteiro, UXO Legacy Site's program manager for the Department of National Defence. Unexploded Explosive Ordnance, or UXO, is defined by the Department of Defence as 'military explosives that did not explode or function as intended.' Examples include bombs, grenades, mortars and rockets. Experts say if you suspect you find something ammunition-related, don't touch it, record the location and call 911 or local police. old ordinace An old, rusty UXO shell is pictured in muddy water. (Courtesy: Government of Canada) '911 will dispatch whoever they feel is necessary, whether it's police, ambulance, or fire,' explains Monteiro. 'They are the ones that make the determination as to whether they will contact the military. And if they do, EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) technicians are sent to the sites. They'll take control of the site, and they'll determine what has to be done.' The Government of Canada says all UXO must be considered dangerous. Disturbing or moving the item could make it explode, causing injury or death. In Kensington, P.E.I., on Monday, the municipal building, which includes the police department and town hall, was closed and evacuated as a precaution after a Second World War-era mortar shell and a canister containing rocket fuel were found inside. The Canadian Armed Forces responded and removed the two items. 'There was an 11-and-a-half-pound practice bomb, and a solid rocket motor,' says Monteiro. He says the practice bomb is the most common UXO found in Canada. On Tuesday, a live grenade was thrown onto a property on Pauline Crescent in Dartmouth, N.S. Halifax Regional Police evacuated nearby homes and closed access to the street, while an explosive disposal unit from Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic removed the grenade and detonated it that afternoon. The case is currently under investigation by HRP. No one was hurt in either case. More than 300 calls a year Monteiro says DND receives more than 300 EOD calls a year across the country and they are more common during spring cleaning and construction season. 'UXO do not necessarily become less dangerous with time,' says Monteiro. 'Sometimes they do. Sometimes they actually become more dangerous, and it takes an expert to make that determination.' If you're in doubt, Monteiro says there's no harm in calling police. 'For instance, people have thought parts of transmission from cars have been mines. We've had bits and pieces from lawnmowers that individuals thought were potentially dangerous. It's better to err on the side of caution.' The risk differs from place to place. DND holds outreach programs at schools in areas where there are UXO 'legacy sites' – primarily in western Canada. These sites were often used for military training. According to the federal government, the Legacy Sites Program 'manages UXO risks on UXO Legacy Sites across the country contributing to the health and safety of Canadians. 'The sole purpose of what we do is to protect Canadians from any kind of explosive risk,' says Monteiro. 'If you find anything, you don't touch it, make note of where it is, and call 911.' Souvenirs and collections Sometimes a UXO is a souvenir brought to Canada by veterans who served overseas. 'Things that grandpa brought home as souvenirs, put them in the basement or attic, that you might find,' says Gary Melville, a veteran and the executive director of the Army Museum Halifax Citadel. GAry Melville Veteran Gary Melville, the executive director of the Army Museum Halifax Citadel, is pictured at the museum holding an inert grenade. The Army Museum is home to more than 70,000 military artifacts. 'I've had people call and say, 'we have something to donate to the museum', and I always ask, 'what it is?'' says Melville. 'As soon as they say, 'I have a grenade', I go 'Stop. Okay. Don't touch it. Please call the police.'' Melville says those calls often come after a family member has passed, leaving behind souvenirs found in basements, attics and trunks. 'We don't know if it's live, or inert,' says Melville. 'I did not deactivate it, and it's not worth me losing my fingers just to make sure that I can get another grenade for display.' Museum entrance The entrance and sign for the Army Museum Halifax Citadel are pictured. (Amanda Debison, CTV Atlantic) Monteiro says some of those lost items would be demilitarized and rendered safe but the chain of custody can lead to misinformation. 'The problem is many of these items are very old and the understanding as to what was done with them has disappeared over time,' adds Monteiro. Both Melville and Monteiro say if someone comes into possession of a private UXO collection, it should be disposed of by trained professionals. 'If you don't know where it came from or who made it inert, it should not be in your home, in my opinion,' said Melville. 'You don't know what it's going to do, and it's your life or the life of your children, your grandchildren that stumble upon it twenty years from now. If you don't know that it's inert, don't keep it around.' The Government Canada has more details on its website how to identify UXO and what to do if you find one. A third explosive device was brought to Sussex RCMP on July 4, said Sgt. Kevin Gloade in an email to CTV. He said the Explosive Disposal Unit safely disposed of the object and evacuated the area as a safety measure. He said no charges were laid.
CBC
16-07-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Canadian military ends wildfire operation in Garden Hill Anisininew Nation
After helping over 1,500 people escape a wildfire near Garden Hill Anisininew Nation, the Canadian military is ending its wildfire evacuation efforts in northeastern Manitoba. Manitoba is experiencing its worst wildfire season in 30 years and more than 10,000 square kilometres of land has burned. Fires remain out of control near evacuated communities, including Garden Hill, Lynn Lake, Marcel Colomb First Nation and Leaf Rapids. A week ago, a full evacuation was ordered for Garden Hill due to a wildfire that continues to threaten the community of more than 4,500 people on the north shore of Island Lake, about 475 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. Management of wildfire evacuation efforts in Garden Hill were again within the province's capability as of 7:30 p.m. CT Monday, the Department of National Defence said in a news release on Wednesday morning. The conditions also met the threshold for the military's personnel and equipment to return to their home units, the release said. Over 1,500 people were evacuated from Garden Hill by the Armed Forces since July 9, the Department of National Defence said. The number of military personnel involved fluctuated, but over 60 Canadian Armed Forces members were deployed to directly support the operation at its peak, the Department of National Defence said. Four Hercules aircraft were also used at the height of the operation.
