Minister Blair’s Keynote Remarks at the 15th Halifax International Security Forum

Introduction

Peter, first of all thank you for that very kind introduction and it was Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin who told me when I was appointed to this job, he called me and said you’ve now got the toughest job in government but it’s also the best job in government and he was absolutely right.

• Ministers,
• Ambassadors,
• Members of Parliament,
• Members of the Congressional Delegation,
• General Eyre,
• Members of our Canadian Armed Forces,
• Deputy Matthews,
• Distinguished guests,

Welcome to you all.

To those who are visiting Canada, you are most welcome and we are very honoured. I also want to acknowledge Peter MacKay and his leadership in bringing us here to Halifax because it’s a great place to be.

(Applause)

I am very honoured by the opportunity, it truly is a privilege, to join Peter as my co-host to welcome you all to the Halifax International Security Forum which is taking place on the traditional territory of the Mik’Mak people.

As Peter mentioned this is my first trip to the Halifax Forum but I want to assure you all that the reputation of this extraordinary event well proceeds it. It’s a reputation dating back fifteen years as the world’s foremost security conference for democracies. Peter, you thanked a lot of people. Allow me the opportunity to say thank you to you.

(Applause)

You have kept the idea of this forum alive and prospering and relevant and important for fifteen years. Over that fifteen years I believe you have contributed significantly to an important dialogue among like-minded nations. As we’ve seen, as the video showed us, the global security challenges have evolved significantly over the past fifteen years. We’re seeing increasing threats to the rules based international order. We’re seeing rapid technological advances. We’re seeing how climate change is increasing demand for our Canadian Armed Forces here at home and abroad.

Of course, we’re seeing for the last fifteen months of war in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East and rising tensions in the Indo Pacific. We are very fortunate in Canada to be some considerable distance from many of these conflicts but as our world is becoming increasingly interconnected, we cannot benefit solely from our isolation from those conflicts because as Peter indicated, we all have a responsibility.

These global challenges have a direct impact on Canadians, an impact on our security, on our families abroad, on our cost of living and on our future, the future world that we will leave to our kids and grandkids. In challenging times like these, Canada’s position must remain clear.

Freedom matters.

Democracy matters.

Sovereignty matters.

As the international rules-based order that has kept us safe is being challenged, those rules matter.

Freedom must prevail. For our citizens we have an obligation to strengthen those rules and to uphold that order. I am convinced that together we can strengthen these international rules that keep us all safe and we can meet the security challenges of today and tomorrow. But let’s be frank. We have a great deal of work to do. That requires remarkable alliances like NATO and NORAD. It requires personnel, readiness and it’s going to require significant investment.

It requires frank discussion that we have come to expect in Halifax as the leading security conference of democracies.

1.     Middle-East

A month and a half ago on October 7^th, Israel was brutally attacked by the terrorist organization Hamas. Approximately 1,200 Israeli citizens were slaughtered and over 200 Israeli and foreign nationals were taken hostage including citizens of many of the countries represented here today.

We have all seen the heartbreaking footage from Israel over the last month, families torn apart, parents who have lost their young children, innocent people kidnapped during a day of celebration. I want to be very clear. Canada unequivocally condemns this terror attack and we unwaveringly support Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law.

(Applause)

Allow me to reiterate our Prime Minister’s call for Hamas to immediately release all hostages held in Gaza. Last week in the House of Commons and as Peter mentioned, many of my Parliamentary colleagues from all Parties are here today, we unanimously passed a motion calling upon the same effect. The price of justice cannot be the suffering of innocent civilians. The protection of civilians remains paramount, but Hamas must stop using Palestinian civilians as human shields.

We’ve all seen the terrible images of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We are making every effort to provide humanitarian assistance. We reiterate the need to ensure safe and unimpeded access to lifesaving humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza so that aid can flow safely. Since October of this year the Canadian Armed Forces, and I want to say thanks General, have been there to assist Canadians in the region.

Our military evacuated over 1,600 Canadians and permanent residents from Israel, and we also assisted in the evacuation of 360 Canadians from Gaza. Should the regional situation escalate, we are also prepared to evacuate Canadians from Lebanon if required. Hundreds of Canadian Armed Forces personnel are deployed in the region and a task force headquarters has been set up in Cyprus.  Canada will continue to support a two-state solution so that both Israel and Palestine can live in lasting peace.

2.     Europe

In Ukraine, members of the armed forces of Ukraine continue to fight for Ukraine’s freedom in the face of Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war. Ukraine did not ask for this war. They did not provoke this war.

But Ukraine must win this war.

(Applause)

To strengthen Ukraine’s position on the battlefield, our country, like many like-minded countries, has made significant investments in military aid to Ukraine and other financial aid that country is going to need to prevail and everything from tanks and armoured vehicles to howitzers and ammunition. We’ve also been fortunate since 2015 to be involved in an initiative to train Ukraine’s military.

I had the extraordinary opportunity to visit the UK and go to Camp Lydd where Canadian Armed Forces members are working alongside their British counterparts training Ukrainian soldiers to be better prepared to survive the rigours and risks of the battlefield. Watching the interaction between our armed forces members and those Ukrainian citizens was an inspiration. It reminds us all of the importance to continue to provide that military assistance to allow Ukraine to protect itself in every way possible.

In addition to some of those assistance in training for example we are also providing Ukraine with systems to protect it from hostile cyber activity, a new front in the battlefield. Canada regularly shares intelligence with Ukraine, including information about these cyber threats. As many in this room will know all too well, the cyber domain has become a key battleground in this conflict, and we are making critical contributions and will continue to do so to ensure Ukraine’s success.

Ukraine is making progress, but it requires us to work together and to continue our support. As NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said, “we are all paying a price for Russia’s war against Ukraine but the price many of us pay is in money and materiel. The price Ukrainians pay is in blood. If we let Putin win, all of us” as Peter said, “will pay a much higher price for many years to come.”

We must and we will stand with Ukraine for as long it takes with whatever is required. As a founding member of NATO our commitment to collective defence has been and will always be unwavering. Canada is more than doubling its military presence in the alliance’s eastern flank with up to 2,200 troops persistently deployed through Operation Reassurance in Latvia.

As many of you are aware, Canada also shares vital cyber data with our NATO allies including Latvia where we have deployed military and civilian personnel to help protect critical networks. But we know more must be done. Even though we are across the Atlantic, we are under no illusions. Europe’s security is Canada’s security. Given the threats that we currently face, we believe the NATO alliance and that partnership is more important than ever. I also want to acknowledge Canada must and will do more.

3.     Indo-Pacific

In the Indo Pacific we also have a great deal of work to do. As a Pacific nation ourselves, Canada has a deep interest in maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific and particularly in maintaining the freedom of navigation on international waterways. We know that Canada’s participation must move from an episodic presence in the region to a reliable and persistent presence.

That’s exactly why we’re deploying more ships, aircraft and personnel to the region. In 2023 for the first time Canada deployed three warships into the Indo Pacific. There they conducted exercises with our allies and our partners including the US, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and others. I am proud to say this additional warship came from right here in Halifax. Whether we’re monitoring UN sanctions against North Korea or sailing through the international waters of the Taiwan Strait, partnerships matter.

This forum helps build and maintain those partnerships. As we operate in the Indo Pacific, Canada will always defend international rules and engage responsibly. We expect others to do the same. Unfortunately, I have to share with you that in the past few weeks we’ve seen unsafe air intercepts conducted by the People’s Republic of China. On October 16^th a Canadian maritime patrol aircraft monitoring UN sanctions against North Korea was unsafely intercepted by a Chinese fighter which came within five meters of our aircraft.

Only a few weeks later, on October 29^th, another Canadian maritime helicopter had two unsafe encounters with Chinese aircraft, one of which launched flares directly in front of our helicopter. These actions put everyone at risk. We have raised our concerns regarding this behaviour in the past. We will continue to do so and continue to be a presence in the region. Our Indo Pacific strategy is clear. China increasingly disregards international rules and norms.

Canada will continue to challenge China where we believe it is right and we will cooperate with China when we must to find solutions to global issues. Canada has been clear in its commitment to our partners in the region and for example we are contributing to stability in the Korean Peninsula.

Since the Korean War, the Canadian Armed Forces have continuously served in Korea through the UN Command to promote peace on the peninsula.

Today I’m pleased to share with you that Canadian Armed Forces very own Lt. General Derek MacAulay has been named the next Deputy Commander of the UN Command in the Republic of Korea. He will officially begin his duties shortly. This is only the second time Canada has the privilege of participating at that level. We believe the Indo Pacific strategy is central to our own country’s security and prosperity.

I want to ensure our allies we’ll continue to work with all like-minded allies and partners to build freedom, openness and stability in the region.

4.     Bolstering Our Defences Here at Home

Here at home our Arctic sovereignty is being increasingly challenged by Russia and China. Just nine months ago NORAD played a key role when a Chinese high altitude surveillance balloon violated the sovereignty of our nation and the US. It reminds us all of the centrality of NORAD’s security to our people.

As President Biden said when he visited Canada this year, NORAD is an incredible symbol of the faith we have in one another and trust that we place in each other’s capabilities. To the US Congressional Delegation joining us today, let me say clearly - we deeply value the unparalleled defence relationship between Canada and the US including and especially through NORAD.

Canada is making generational investments to help modernize our NORAD capabilities. We’re investing over $38 million over the next two decades but we recognize we must do more. We are starting to see these investments take shape. We are developing a new Arctic over the horizon radar system with improved threat detection in the north. At the beginning of this year our government announced the acquisition of 88 F35 fighter jets, an investment of $19 billion that I’m sure some would say was well overdue but we’re moving on that.

We’ve closely engaged with our Arctic partners to upgrade our infrastructure so they can host state of the art fighter jets and we are working to modernize the Canadian Armed Forces. We’re continuing to implement our 2017 Defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged which will increase our defence spending by over 70%. Again, let me say and reassure you all, Canada knows it must do more because the world has changed since 2017.

The threat environment has grown significantly. That’s why we must move forward with our defence policy update. We have been engaging with Canadians, with industry, with our allies and our partners to make sure we get this right, but we also recognize the urgency of those investments and the work we must do together. We’re focusing on capabilities that bring value to Canadians and to our key alliances. For example, we know the long-range position strike capabilities will be essential to NATO. We know that underwater surveillance capabilities and Arctic defence infrastructure matter to NORAD.

We know that tactical aviation capabilities are essential in responding to emergencies here at home. In recent weeks I’ve had the opportunity to meet with the aerospace industry. The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries and other industry partners to discuss the defence policy update. I’ve heard their feedback and I know that we need to provide you with the clarity and certainty that will enable you to help us.

Although we are already investing in major military capabilities in all domains, I will reiterate additional investments are needed and will occur. We know we need resources to put behind our aspirations and as we do all of this, our people remain our number one priority. That’s exactly why we are implementing Mme Justice Arbour’s recommendations to ensure meaningful cultural change in our military.

As Canada’s Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security. Jacqueline O’Neil recently said while receiving the Vimy Award last week, “diverse groups make better decisions and when women participate, the outcomes are better. True operational effectiveness occurs when we reduce blind spots on situational awareness. Inclusion matters. Respect matters.”

We’re going to ensure we create a Canadian Armed Forces that is inclusive and respectful of all men and women who serve. I would like to if I may, and Peter has already done this, but I want to take the opportunity to welcome this year’s Peace and Women Fellows who as in previous years take part in this weekend’s discussions. Welcome.

(Applause)

I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to Irene Fallon, special representative of the NATO Secretary General for Women, Peace and Security.

5.     Investing Here in Halifax

Finally, if I may, let me say a few words about our host city, the remarkable city of Halifax. To all Haligonians – that’s not an easy word to say, by the way – your city is the beating heart of the Defence of Canada.  Just over a week ago, two Canadian ships returned to their home port in Halifax after a month-long deployment with NATO in European waters.

This morning I had the opportunity to visit ship builders at Irving’s Halifax Shipyard, just a few kilometres from where we are standing. Halifax shipbuilders have already built and delivered four new AOPS to the navy. Two more are currently under construction and they’ll soon begin construction on the first of fifteen new warships for the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Surface Combatant project.

This will be the largest Canadian shipbuilding initiative since World War II. This project is expected to create and maintain 10,000 jobs over 25 years. It’s going to provide our navy with modern state of the art ships built in Canada to enable our navy to live up to our international commitments.

CFB Halifax Announcement

Next to the Irving Shipyard, thousands of civilians and military personnel go to work every day at the base in Halifax, the home of our Atlantic fleet and Canada’s largest military base.

But it needs new facilities to meet the growing demands of our personnel. Today I have the opportunity to again announce that we are moving forward to build a brand new $188 million training centre here at CFB Halifax. This centre is going to provide CAF members with the expertise they’re going to require in above water, underwater and maritime air fighting so they’re ready to sail our incoming fleet of 15 Canadian surface combatant ships when they come off the line. We’ve awarded Ellis Don with a contract to design this facility and we’re hoping it will be completed by 2029.

(Applause)

For those of you who don’t know that was our Halifax MPs who were applauding. This is good news for Halifax but also good news for the navy. It’s good news for the Canadian Armed Forces because I hope it demonstrates to them that we are prepared to make investments in them, and provide them with state of the art equipment with the arrival of these new ships.

NATO DIANA Announcement

Halifax is also home to an impressive defence research and innovation network.

It is now the home to defence research’s Atlantic Canada facility which provides world class expertise scenarios like underwater acoustics research. It’s home to several universities, centre of marine technology and innovation.

As my predecessor, Minister Anand, announced last year, Halifax will soon be home to NATO’s defence innovation accelerator for the North Atlantic or DIANA.

Today we are making an additional investment of $26.6 million over six years to enable the opening and operation of DIANA’s North American regional office in Halifax. This investment is going to allow DIANA to open in Halifax by next summer. It’s going to ensure that innovators have the place and the funding required to develop technologies that will have civilian and military use. It’s good for the Canadian Armed Forces. I hope it's going to be good for all of our efforts.

This spring DIANA launched its first competitive call for proposals. Proudly Canada had the second highest number of applications at 211, just a few behind the US. We know that by bolstering Canadian innovation and investing in our defence industrial base, we’re going to make it better able to support the CAF and our allies. As the nature of conflict changes we will need to innovate, to adapt across all domains – on sea, on land, in the air, on cyber and in space.

We need to invest in game changing technologies like AI and Quantum. That’s exactly what DIANA is going to do for us in Halifax. I’ll take the opportunity to acknowledge Andy Fillmore who represents the area for his strong advocacy in getting that here. Canada is proud of being able to support that. We will continue to make major investments in Halifax and across the country.

Conclusion

I want to assure you all, Canada understands its responsibility to continue to invest in the Canadian Armed Forces to ensure it is prepared, resourced and equipped to do the important job of keeping our country safe. To everyone joining us in Halifax for this remarkable conference, clearly we all have a great deal of work to do. At times like this, conferences like this matter.

Threats to international stability are on the rise and in the face of those threats we’ve got to work together. We must learn from each other, share our experiences:

• In the Middle East,
• In Europe,
• In the Indo Pacific,
• In North America
• And around the globe.

We must step up to address these challenges to preserve peace and prosperity for our people.

Together I am confident we can build a safer world. We can stand up to those who are trying to sow chaos and division. We can ensure our militaries are ready to face the threats of tomorrow. Ultimately, we can protect and strengthen the rules based international order that keeps us all safe. We clearly have a lot of work to do. With that, delegates, the 2023 Halifax International Security Forum, it is my privilege and pleasure as your co-host to officially hand the floor over to you.

Let’s get to work!