Canada’s defence minister is promising what she calls “a robust package of investments” for the Canadian Armed Forces.

Anita Anand made the commitment to the Senate Defence committee Monday, ahead of Thursday’s federal budget, which many expect will include new money for Canada’s military.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing growing pressure to boost military spending and work with Washington to secure and defend North America as Vladimir Putin’s Russian attack on Ukraine continues.

It’s been just over two weeks since the Trudeau Liberals launched a special immigration program for Ukrainians fleeing their war-torn country.

“We’ve now seen in excess of 90,000 applications and 14,500 approvals come through. That’s in addition to those travellers who were approved prior to the new system coming into effect,” Immigration Minister Sean Fraser told Libby Znaimer.

He also says a computer program is working to help process the large volume of applications.

More than four-million Ukrainians have left their country since Putin initiated a full scale invasion almost six weeks ago.

Join Fight Back with Libby Znaimer Tuesday between noon and 1pm for Libby’s full conversation with the Immigration Minister.

Meantime, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to address the UN Security Council Tuesday as evidence builds suggesting retreating Russian troops have carried out widespread and deliberate slaughter of civilians.

The U-S Ambassador to the U-N, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, says the global community is unified in opposing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The discovery of the bodies of 410 civilians in Bucha, following a Russian withdrawal from the town, has sparked global outrage and vehement denials from representatives of the Russian government.