Canada's Minister of National Defence visited London on Thursday to trumpet the country's commitment to assisting Ukraine.
Anita Anand was at General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) Canada with London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos, talking about the Light Armour Vehicles (LAVs) produced at the facility and how they will assist Ukraine in combat against Russian forces.
"You do critical work every single day to contribute to our nation's peace and prosperity," Anand told GDLS workers, "You are helping our Canadian Armed Forces become stronger, more modern, and more agile."
The Canadian government will be providing 39 LAVs to Ukraine and shipments will start this summer, Anand added. An order of 360 LAVs that will be used by Canadian Forces members is also being produced at GDLS. The 39 for Ukraine will be on top of that order.
The original contract for the Canadian Forces vehicles was announced in 2019, and is worth $3-billion.
"As our friends in Ukraine continue to fight Putin's illegal, unjustified and full-scale invasion of their country, our government continues to provide comprehensive military aid to help them fight and win this war," said Anand. "I was pleased to stand with the Prime Minister at the NATO leaders summit last week, where he announced that Canada is in the process of finalizing negotiations with GDLS to supply up to 39 combat support vehicles to Ukraine, some of which I had the opportunity to see today, and all of which will make a meaningful impact on the ground."
GDLS Vice President and General Manager Jason Alejandro Monahan also spoke, and said employees were "excited and honoured" by Anand's visit.
"We are proud of Canada and proud that vehicles manufactured here in London, Ontario will be used by the brave men and women of Ukraine to defend their homeland and secure their futures," he said.
Anand was also asked about the contract GDLS has to produce LAVs for the Saudi Arabian government, and whether she has concerns the vehicles have been used in human rights abuses.
"Global Affairs has conducted a review and as a result announced in 2020 that permits are reviewed on a case-by-case basis," Anand said. "Each permit is carefully scrutinized and the Minister of Foreign Affairs herself will deny any permit where there is any substantial risk of a human rights violation."
When asked, Anand wouldn't say whether she considered the Saudi Arabian government a substantial human rights violation risk.
