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New Canadian Armed Forces unit would be instated in the Yukon: Harper

Conservative leader Stephen Harper makes a campaign stop in Drummondville, Que., on Monday, August 24, 2015.
Conservative leader Stephen Harper makes a campaign stop in Drummondville, Que., on Monday, August 24, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

WHITEHORSE – Stephen Harper has announced a new Canadian Armed Forces reserve unit for the Yukon.

The unit is part of a pledge the Conservative leader made in mid-August to grow the reserve force from 24-thousand to 30-thousand if he’s re-elected.

The territory last had its own reserve force in 1968.

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Harper announced Friday in Whitehorse that the new unit would restore an important connection between the people of Yukon and the Canadian Armed Forces and provide important additional military capacity in the territory.

He says members would also be available for a specialized emergency response in the face of natural disasters such as wildfires.

It’s part of two scheduled announcements in Whitehorse, held by a Tory M-P fighting a tough race.

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Ryan Leef snatched the riding away from the Liberals in 2011 but is facing a strong challenge from his former rival, Larry Bagnell.

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