Vanguard Magazine

10 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 www.vanguardcanada.com S Sit REp Transport Canada to acquire a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) from Elbit Systems Minister Sajjan announces Advisory Panel on systemic racism and discrimination for DND/CAF The Hermes 900 StarLiner RPAS. Image Elbit Systems Ltd. Members of the Canadian contingent, and other nations deployed to Operation REASSURANCE - LATVIA, participate in challenging live- fire training involving a balance of urban and open terrain scenarios in the Camp Adazi Training Area, Latvia, November 27, 2020. Photo: Canadian Armed Forces. The Government of Canada has awarded a $36.16 million contract to El- bit Systems Ltd. for the acquisition of a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) or drone. This RPAS will provide Transport Canada with the means to effectively deliver its National Aerial Surveillance Program in keeping Canadian waters safe and monitoring pollution. Through this contract, Transport Canada will receive communication links, ground control stations, sensor packages, one remotely piloted aircraft, training, and the option to purchase spare parts. "Transport Canada's National Aerial Surveillance Program is an essen- tial piece of the Government of Canada's efforts to keep Canada's coasts and inland waters safe and clean," said Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement."This investment will help to enhance the se- curity and surveillance capacity under the program, leading to a cleaner and safer environment." The Hermes 900 StarLiner RPAS is expected to be delivered by Decem- ber 2022. This aircraft system is controlled from a remote location and has autopilot capabilities for automatic takeoff and landing. The RPAS has a flying range of more than 1,400 nautical miles with the capability of operating beyond the visual line of sight and capable of operations to 72 degrees north latitude. This will help to detect oil spills, survey ice and marine habitats, and monitor activity on the ocean in Canada's Arctic. "Canada is committed to protecting our endangered species and our marine environment. Integrating remotely piloted aircraft into our fleet will make our surveillance operations more robust than ever," said Marc Gar- neau, Minister of Transport. "The National Aerial Surveillance Program also helps with search and rescue, humanitarian efforts, illegal fishing enforce- ment, and the development and regulation of Canada's drone industry." On December 17, 2020, Harjit Sajjan, Canada's Minister of National De- fence announced the creation of an Advisory Panel to oversee systemic racism and discrimination focusing on anti-Indigenous and anti-Black racism, LGBTQ2 prejudice, gender bias, and white supremacy. The panel will be made up of: • Captain (Ret'd) D.L. (Door) Gibson, M.M.M., CD • Sergeant (Ret'd) Derek Montour • Major (Ret'd) Sandra Perron, CD • Major-General (Ret'd) E.S. (Ed) Fitch, O.M.M., M.S.M., CD According to a news release, the Advisory Panel will provide advice on how to ensure those with racist or white supremacist beliefs are not allowed to enter or remain in the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces. The Panel will identify policies, process- es and practices that enable discriminatory behaviours and provide recommendations on how as an institution DND and the CAF can eliminate them. This Advisory Panel will provide a report of recom- mendations to the Minister of National Defence, DND, and the CAF by December 31, 2021. "Systemic racism and prejudice still exist – in this country and in our or- ganization," said Minister Sajjan. "The creation of this Advisory Panel sends a very clear message that we will not tolerate this type of behaviour in our organization. Perpetrators will be held accountable and dealt with swiftly. There will be no question about where the organization stands on this mat- ter. Simply put, there is no room for hateful conduct in the Department of

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