Canadian ship to escort food shipments to Somalia

OTTAWA – Canada will deploy the Halifax-based frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec to the coast of Somalia to help protect UN ships delivering much-needed supplies from pirates, Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced Wednesday.

“Food supplies are urgently needed in Somalia but deteriorating security has made delivery difficult by land and sea,” said MacKay.

“Canada is stepping up to the plate by tasking Ville de Quebec with the role of escorting World Food Program ships to ensure their safe arrival at designated ports.”