Minister Blair hosts roundtables with Canadian defence industry partners
News release
March 8, 2025 – Ottawa, ON – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
From February 28 to March 7, 2025, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, led a series of substantive discussions with Canadian industry leaders to drive forward Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy. This is a pivotal step in strengthening our defence capabilities and delivering on the commitments outlined in Our North, Strong and Free, Canada’s renewed defence policy.
The Defence Industrial Strategy is about equipping Canada with the cutting-edge capabilities needed to meet evolving security challenges. This includes enabling industry to respond rapidly and effectively to growing demands, backed by our commitment to invest $8.1 billion over the next five years—and an additional $73 billion over the next two decades.
Through these roundtables, Minister Blair and industry partners focused on making our investments more strategic through long-term partnerships, shoring up an innovative, effective, and stronger Canadian defence industrial base.
With a clear plan, transparent engagement, and targeted investments, Canada is taking decisive action to secure the capabilities and resources needed to defend our country and support our Allies and partners. This includes expanding our skilled workforce, fast-tracking new technologies, strengthening North American supply chains, and ensuring a reliable defence supply from Canadian industry.
Together with Canadian industry partners, the Department of National Defence builds a strong and resilient defence industry to serve Canada’s defence and economic needs for decades to come.
Quotes
“Canada is making the necessary investments to remain a strong and reliable Ally. We are taking decisive action to build a modern, innovative, and self-sufficient defence industrial base—one that ensures our military has the secure, assured, and timely access to the capabilities they need to defend Canada and support our Allies. By working closely with industry, we are strengthening our defence sector, creating good jobs for Canadians, and securing our place as a leader in North American and global security."
- The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
Quick facts
-
Minister Blair’s engagements launch a concerted and focused whole-of-government effort involving Public Services and Procurement Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Global Affairs Canada, and others.
-
The Canadian defence industry contributed close to $12.6 billion in gross domestic product and 78,000 jobs across Canada's economy in 2023.
-
Canada’s investments in defence since Strong, Secure, and Engaged, our 2017 defence policy, and our North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) modernization plan announced in 2022, through to Our North, Strong and Free have increased Canada’s forecasted defence spending from $41 billion in 2024–25 to $57.8 billion in 2029–30.
-
Canada is on track to exceed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) guideline of 20% for major equipment expenditures as a share of defence spending.
Associated links
Contacts
Laurent de Casanove
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-3100
Email: laurent.decasanove@forces.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
Page details
- Date modified: