The federal government is facing criticism after a report that senior civil servants opposed a military plan to stop training Chinese soldiers.

“The @CanadianForces will be supporting the community on the ground,” Blair wrote. “We will always be there for those who need it most.”

Harjit Sajjan made the comments during a wide-ranging panel discussion hosted by Slovakian think tank Globsec, nearly two years after Chinese authorities first detained former diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor.

The new planes come amid more than 15 years of controversy over the government's effort to buy replacements for the ancient Buffalo and older-model Hercules aircraft used by the military.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan is dismissing suggestions the federal government is planning to take an axe to military spending as it seeks to get the federal deficit under control during COVID-19.

The Navy announced earlier this summer that it would be discontinuing the use of the word 'seaman' in the ranks of its junior members.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan's office confirmed the continued deployment of a CC-130 Hercules in support of UN missions in Africa on Sunday.

The contract, awarded as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, can be extended up to 22 years for a total of up to $552 million. 

Ottawa should listen to Quebec Premier François Legault and keep troops at Quebec nursing homes, Matthew Fisher says. 'Lives depend on it.'

Standing in front of nearly a kilometre of airport fencing covered in Canadian flags, flowers and written tributes, Harjit Sajjan said his thoughts were with Capt. Jennifer Casey's family and the rest of the Snowbirds.