Halifax, Nova Scotia: Defence Minister Anita Anand was in Halifax this week to cohost the 14th annual Halifax International Security Forum with HFX President Mr. Peter Van Praagh.
The Security Forum brought together decision-makers, military leaders, academics, and industry to address defence and security challenges including climate change, food security, energy, technology, disinformation, as well as the future of democracy and support for Ukraine.
Minister Anand welcomed delegates with a keynote speech focused on the evolving global security environment, and how Canada is continuing to make investments to protect Canadians now and in the future.
During her speech she highlighted several key challenges to global defence and security including Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war in Ukraine and China’s increasingly assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific. She also underscored the importance of the global community responding to authoritarian regimes which are openly challenging the rules-based international order.
She called on like-minded nations to protect international peace, stability, and freedom via a strong commitment to multilateralism. The Minister also highlighted Canada’s upcoming Indo-Pacific Strategy and Canada’s ongoing work, in collaboration with the United States, to bolster continental defence through NORAD modernization.
Minister Anand also joined Alar Karis, President of Estonia, Jeanne Shaheen, United States Senator for New Hampshire, and Mr. Dolkun Isa, President, World Uyghur Congress, for a plenary session entitled “And So, Where is the Security?,” during which they discussed how to address 21st century security challenges, including global support for Ukraine.
Minister Anand reiterated Canada’s latest commitment of $500 million in additional military assistance for Ukraine.
Defence Minister Anita Anand held bilateral meetings with:
- Kosovo’s Minister of National Defence, Armend Mehaj.
- Minister of Defence for Slovenia, Marjan Šarece.
- U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III.
- Head of Switzerland’s Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, Federal Councillor Viola Amherd.
- United States Congressional Delegation.
- Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister, Olha Stefanishyna.
- CEO of ATCO, Nancy Southern.
- Sweden’s Minister of Defence, Pål Jonson,
- Opposition Leader of Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya,
- Dutch Minister of Defence, Kajsa Ollongren.