Minister Blair to visit Washington, D.C. to advance Canada-U.S. defence relations and to highlight Our North, Strong and Free

May 10, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, will travel to Washington, D.C. from May 13-14, 2024. During his visit, Minister Blair will meet with United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III to discuss Canada’s recently-released defence policy update, Our North, Strong and Free, as well as Canada’s NORAD Modernization Plan and the Canada-U.S. defence relationship.

During his time in Washington, Minister Blair will also deliver remarks to the Atlantic Council, hold a media availability, and meet with American cybersecurity and defence industry leaders.

The following events on May 13, 2024, will be open to media. All times are local.

11:00 am – Minister Blair will visit the Pentagon for a bilateral meeting with United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III.

Notes for media:

• Open coverage for the arrival ceremony and opening remarks.
• Reporters from Canadian media outlets are invited to contact the Embassy of Canada’s Media Relations Team (wshdcmedia@international.gc.ca) for assistance with registration.

2:00 pm – Minister Blair will deliver remarks on Our North, Strong and Free at an event hosted by the Atlantic Council at the Embassy of Canada to the United States in Washington, D.C. Following Minister Blair’s remarks, he will participate in a conversation moderated by Mr. Ian Brzezinski, Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Security Initiative, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.

Notes for media:

• Open coverage.
• Media are asked to arrive no later than 1:30 pm.
• Location: Embassy of Canada to the United States, 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States.
• Media interested in participating should register with the Embassy of Canada’s Media Team (wshdcmedia@international.gc.ca) to confirm their attendance.

3:30 pm – Minister Blair will hold a media availability following his speech to the Atlantic Council.

Notes for media:

• Open coverage.
• Location: Embassy of Canada to the United States, 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States.
• Media interested in participating should register with the Embassy of Canada’s Media Relations Team (wshdcmedia@international.gc.ca) to confirm their attendance.