Defence Minister Anita Anand visiting the United Kingdom to advance defence relationship

June 27, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, will visit the United Kingdom from June 27-29, 2023.

During her trip, the Minister will meet with United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence, the Right Honourable Ben Wallace and other British officials, to discuss efforts to support Ukraine, promote the rules-based international order, and advance the strong defence relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom.

On June 28, Minister Anand will visit Liphook School to meet with schoolchildren who are researching Canadian training in the United Kingdom during the First World War. She will also hold a bilateral meeting with the Official Opposition Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, the Right Honourable John Healey, and representatives of BAE Systems.

On June 29, Minister Anand will visit Lydd Military Training Camp to meet with Canadian Armed Forces members deployed in the United Kingdom who are training Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel as part of Canada’s Operation UNIFIER. She will then deliver remarks to members of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) – a defence and security think tank.

Also on June 29, Minister Anand will hold a bilateral meeting with Secretary of State Wallace, and participate in a joint press conference with the Secretary of State. Finally, the Minister will deliver remarks at a Canada Day reception at Canada House.

June 29, 2023 (all times local)

8:30 a.m. Minister Anand and Secretary Wallace will visit Lydd Military Training Camp, to meet with Canadian and British troops training Ukrainian recruits.

Notes for media:

• Media interesting in participating in the visit can register at pressoffice-bureaudepresse.ldn@international.gc.ca. 

1:00 p.m. Minister Anand will deliver remarks to members of the Royal United Services Institute about Canada’s defence priorities.

Notes for media:

• Location: The Army and Navy Club, 36 Pall Mall, London
• Please register by contacting RUSI at rusip@rusi.org.
• More details: https://www.rusi.org/events/members-events/ukraine-indo-pacific-exploring-canadas-defence-priorities

3:45 p.m. Minister Anand and U.K. Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace will hold a media availability. They will deliver remarks and take questions from media present in person.

Notes for media:

• Location: Canada House, Trafalgar Square, London
• Please register by contacting pressoffice-bureaudepresse.ldn@international.gc.ca.

Associated Links

• Canada-United Kingdom Relatio
•  Operation UNIFIER
• Canada Day London