Harjit Sajjan

The front line was ruptured in up to five places as Islamic State units unleashed a torrent of artillery and massive, armoured suicide bomber trucks against Kurdish Peshmerga troops.

Kurdish media outlet Rudaw didn't report specifically why Sajjan was in Iraq but images show him meeting with Kurdish officials in Irbil.

Harjit Sajjan is expected in early 2016 to put before cabinet a redrawn commitment to the war in Iraq and Syria, one that withdraws CF-18 jetfighters, but beefs up local military and security forces.

Sajjan suggests CF-18 fighter jets would make little difference in the war against the Islamic State if Canada doesn't focus completely on its training mission in Iraq.

Liberal government's plan to resettle thousands of Syrian refugees by the new year is one way that Canada is contributing to the fight against the Islamic State, says Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan.

A military contingent is expected to be in position today to decide where to deploy eight critical care nurses who will help Alberta fight COVID-19.

Numbers are down three per cent down from a week ago but case counts are still over 1,000 per day