International Security

• Canada is unwavering in its commitment to the NATO Alliance, to the defence of Euro-Atlantic security, and to the rules-based international order.
• We understand the need to invest in defence to be agile and adaptable in the face of evolving threats.
• That is why, in 2017, through Strong, Secure, Engaged, we committed to increasing defence spending by 70% over ten years.
• Since 2017, we have taken the steps to procure the equipment needed to continue providing critical capabilities to the Alliance.
• For example, we are procuring 88 new fighter jets, 15 Canadian Surface Combatants, and 6 Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships.
• Despite the economic impacts of COVID-19, Canada is committed to making the defence expenditure investments in the strategic areas identified in its defence policy.
• We will continue to deliver on the commitments in our defence policy.

If pressed on defence spending as a share of GDP (NATO 2%):

• In Fiscal Year 2021-22, Canada is forecasted to spend 1.36% of its GDP on defence, and is forecasted to spend 1.43% by fiscal year 2024-25.
• This spending will enable Canada to continue making important contributions to global peace and stability alongside our NATO Allies, as we are doing in Latvia, Ukraine, and the Middle East.

• Canada’s commitment to its NATO Allies and partners is unwavering, especially in the face of Russian aggression.
• Not only has this Government raised defence spending, but every day, members of the Canadian Armed Forces are deeply engaged in NATO operations, promoting peace and stability.
• To support these efforts, National Defence requested $103.0 million in these Estimates to support Canada’s increased commitments to NATO under the NATO Readiness Initiative.
• As announced in Budget 2021, this funding will support activities related to the operational readiness of one additional Royal Canadian Navy frigate and six additional Royal Canadian Air Force fighter jets that support NATO missions. 
• This funding will be used to service the fleets, perform maintenance, perform testing and evaluation, and train personnel.

• Canada is steadfast in its commitment to support Ukraine’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.
• That is why we have approved the extension and enhancement of Operation UNIFIER to March 2025.
• In these Estimates, National Defence is seeking $27.4 million to sustain Operation UNIFIER and continue our efforts to support Ukraine.
• Operation UNIFIER is the Canadian Armed Forces’ mission to support Ukraine’s security forces through military training and capacity building assistance.
• Through Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces conducted more than 700 course serials, and trained over 33,000 Ukrainian personnel from 2015 to January 2022.
• Although Operation UNIFIER and training is paused for the moment, National Defence and its international partners are assessing options to continue providing defence support.
• We remain committed to the people of Ukraine and our mission to increase the capacity and capability of Ukraine’s Security Forces.

If pressed on aid delivery timelines:

• We are continuously working with our Allies and partners to provide aid to Ukraine.
• Given operational security concerns, we cannot discuss further specifics at this time.

If pressed on military aid falling into the wrong hands:

• We continue to provide much needed and valuable aid that has been requested by Ukraine.
• National Defence has signed a declaration with Ukraine's armed forces that all weapons provided will not be transferred to any other entity.

If pressed on CAF members fighting in Ukraine:

• We do not encourage Canadians to go to Ukraine to fight given the very dire security situation.

If pressed on a no-fly zone over Ukraine:

• Canada and our NATO Allies have a responsibility to prevent this war from escalating beyond Ukraine, which would be even more dangerous and devastating.
• The establishment and enforcement of a no-fly zone could risk triggering a larger international conflict with Russia.
• We will continue working with our Allies to support Ukraine through other contributions.

If pressed on future military defensive aid:

• Canada is working with our Allies to provide Ukraine with the support they need.
• We continue to assess options to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.

• Canada remains strongly committed to its partnership with NATO Allies and reinforcing our support for NATO’s Eastern Flank.
• That is why we are renewing Canada’s multi-year commitment to Operation REASSURANCE.
• In these Estimates, National Defence is seeking $65.5 million to sustain assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe through Operation REASSURANCE.
• Operation REASSURANCE is Canada’s largest international military commitment, involving the deployment of land, sea, and air elements to Central and Eastern Europe in support of our Allies.
• The requested funds will be used to support Canadian Armed Forces members deployed on Operation REASSURANCE while they conduct training, exercises, and tasks in support of NATO collective defence efforts.
• National Defence will continue to work with our NATO Allies to enhance our collective security and promote peace and stability around the world.

If pressed on a no-fly zone over Ukraine:

• Canada and our NATO Allies have a responsibility to prevent this war from escalating beyond Ukraine, which would be even more dangerous and devastating.
• The establishment and enforcement of a no-fly zone could risk triggering a larger international conflict with Russia.
• We will continue working with our Allies to support Ukraine through other contributions.

If pressed on additional NATO support:

• We have placed approximately 3,400 personnel at a higher state of readiness to deploy to the NATO Response Force should these forces be required.

• Operation IMPACT has been essential to countering Da’esh, and is part of a whole-of-government effort to foster security and stability in the Middle East.
• Under Operation IMPACT, Canada works with our allies to contribute to the Global Coalition Against Da’esh, and NATO Mission Iraq, supporting Iraqi Security Forces.
• We also provide bilateral training assistance to the Jordanian and Lebanese Armed Forces.
• To support these efforts, National Defence is requesting $129.5 million to continue providing development, humanitarian, and military support to advance peace and stability in the region.

• The Canadian Armed Forces has a proud, longstanding history of participating in peacekeeping missions to support peace and stability around the world.
• Today, we provide expertise and advanced capabilities to United Nations peacekeeping missions in various parts of the world.
• To support these efforts, National Defence is requesting $5.6 million in these Estimates to extend peace support operations in Africa.
• This funding will be used to support the provision of episodic tactical airlift support to UN operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.
• It will also support staff deployed to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, as well as the operational support hub in Dakar, Senegal.

• Recognizing the critical importance of the Indo-Pacific to Canada’s interests, National Defence is committed to continuing our increased and persistent presence in the region.
• Under Op PROJECTION, Royal Canadian Navy ships conduct combined activities and port visits with allies and partners to demonstrate Canada’s presence and promote regional security.
• Canada also routinely deploys ships and aircraft to the region under Operation NEON, as part of a multinational effort to monitor UN sanctions against North Korea.
• In fact, the Canadian Armed Forces is planning to deploy two frigates from June to November 2022 to participate in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), followed by Op PROJECTION and Op NEON in the Indo-Pacific region.
• The Defence Team is also actively supporting the development of the Global Affairs-led Indo-Pacific Strategy.
• We are prepared to increase, diversify and sustain our defence footprint in the region in support of this Strategy and the Government’s broader strategic commitment to this region.

If pressed on AUKUS partnership:

• Canada maintains strong military relations and intelligence sharing agreements with AUKUS countries, regardless of the new trilateral partnership.
• As a Pacific nation, Canada will continue to play an active role in the region, and maintain a persistent presence to support peace, security, and Canadian interests in the region.

If pressed on North Korean ballistic missile testing:

• Canada continues to help monitor sanctions against North Korea through Operation NEON.
• We are also working with our allies and partners to better understand and address a range of threats in the region.

• Under Operation AEGIS, the Canadian Armed Forces worked tirelessly to help evacuate approximately 3,400 people from Kabul, the majority of whom were transported on 15 Canadian Armed Forces flights.
• To assist with the evacuations of Canadians and Afghan nationals, National Defence provided strategic airlift capabilities including various types of aircraft, aircrew, and support staff.
• We also supported our allies and partners in the coalition air bridge.
• Under Operation ALLIED SOLACE, we provided three interpreters to NATO’s temporary accommodation facility in Kosovo, which houses NATO-affiliated Afghans awaiting transit to Allied countries.
• National Defence also worked with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and partners to identify and resettle Afghans who were integral to Canada’s work in Afghanistan.
• National Defence will continue to work with its whole-of-government partners to support Afghanistan and to meet the Government’s commitment to resettle Afghan refugees.

• In partnership with Global Affairs Canada, Defence Team members, including Canadian Defence Attachés, are deployed to diplomatic and consular missions abroad to provide on-the-ground reporting, and also identify Canadian defence industry export opportunities.
• In these Estimates, National Defence seeks to transfer $617,066 to Global Affairs Canada to provide support for the cost of National Defence staff located at these missions.
• These funds will also be used to increase the number of National Defence members deployed, including four at Canada’s Delegation to NATO, one in Helsinki, Finland, and two in Kazakhstan.
• Through our engagement abroad, National Defence continues to support Canadian values and international peace and security.