Minister McGuinty concludes visit to British Columbia to advance Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy
News release
February 20, 2026 – Victoria, British Columbia – Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Today, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, concluded a productive visit to British Columbia where he met with members of the Canadian defence industry to advance Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy.
On February 18, the Minister visited Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards where participated in a tour to observe progress on shipbuilding projects under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, including the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) Joint Support Ships and the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) new Polar Icebreaker. The Minister also met with company representatives and engaged with shipyard workers as well as members of the RCN and the CCG detachments based at the facility. The visit marked the Minister’s first to the shipyard and provided an opportunity to see the important work being done by skilled Canadian workers to strengthen Canada’s maritime capabilities.
Minister McGunity also delivered remarks at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, where he reiterated Canada’s generational investment of $81.8 billion to rebuild and modernize the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). He also highlighted the release of Security, Sovereignty, Prosperity: Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy as the Government of Canada’s roadmap for how Canada will invest in defence, cement its domestic defence industrial base, and sustain the capabilities required to protect Canadians and support allies and partners.
On February 19, Minister McGuinty visited Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt where he met with CAF members and support staff to reinforce the Government of Canada’s commitment to readiness, personnel well‑being, and modernized defence capabilities. During his visit, the Minister toured base facilities and went aboard the Canadian Halifax-class frigate, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Vancouver.
Through Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), the Government of Canada is strengthening the industrial foundations that underpin domestic security and economic resilience. By aligning long-term defence investments with domestic industrial capability, the strategy supports Canadian businesses and workers, reinforces national supply chains, and positions Canada as a trusted partner to its allies.
Quotes
“British Columbia is at the forefront of Canada’s defence industrial strength. Through our new Defence Industrial Strategy, are making decisive, long-term investments to expand our industrial, capacitysupport skilled Canadian workers, and equip the Canadian Armed Forces with the modern capabilities they need to protect Canadians at home and contribute meaningfully abroad. This is how we strengthen our sovereignty, our economy, and our security — together.”
The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
Quick facts
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The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) or approximately $63 billion, in 2025-26, and to 5% of GDP by 2035.
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Budget 2025 put forward initial investments to support Canada’s defence industrial base. This begins with an investment of $6.6 billion over five years on a cash basis, starting in 2025-26, to accelerate innovation, stabilize supply chains, expand critical stockpiles, and help Canadian businesses scale production and compete globally.
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Increasing investments in core military capabilities, building up our domestic defence industry, and dual-use investments are putting Canada on a pathway to meet the new North Atlantic Treaty Organization Defence Investment Pledge to invest 5% of GDP in defence by 2035.
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The Canadian defence industry contributes nearly $10 billion to the Canada’s GDP and supports over 81,000 jobs.
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Through the DIS, the Government of Canada will invest $63.1 million through PacifiCan to boost contributions to the defence industrial base in British Columbia.
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Implementing the DIS and related targets by 2035 will result in an estimated $180 billion total direct investment in defence procurement, $290 billion total investment in defence-related infrastructure, and $125 billion in downstream economic activity – more than half a trillion dollars of overall investment in Canada.
Associated links
- Budget 2025: Canada Strong
- Prime Minister Carney launches Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy to strengthen security, create prosperity, and reinforce strategic autonomy | Prime Minister of Canada
- Canada’s new government is rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces
- Prime Minister Carney launches new Defence Investment Agency to rebuild, rearm, and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces faster
- Government of Canada invests to boost British Columbia small- and medium-sized businesses’ contribution to Canada’s defence ambition.
Contacts
Maya Ouferhat
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
maya.ouferhat@forces.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
613-904-3333
mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca