Ottawa, April 23 -- Canada is contributing $5 million to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to support international efforts to identify and eliminate remaining chemical weapons in Syria.

Canada's foreign affairs minister, Anita Anand, announced Wednesday that new funding, provided through Canada's Weapons Threat Reduction Program, will assist in verifying the extent of Syria's former chemical weapons program, investigating past use, and preparing for the safe destruction of any remaining stockpiles.

The OPCW, which oversees implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, is tasked with enforcing the global ban on the development, production and use of chemical weapons.

Canada's contribution builds on more than...