Canada advances Defence Industrial Strategy to strengthen security, sovereignty and prosperity
News release
February 20, 2026 - Waterloo, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
Canada is pursuing a long-term, whole-of-government approach to strengthening the defence industrial base as a pillar of national security, economic resilience and prosperity.
Today, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, was in Waterloo, Ontario, to highlight Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney on February 17, 2026.
The new Defence Industrial Strategy supports Canada’s approach to trade diversification. It aims to increase defence exports by 50% and to strengthen whole‑of‑government line of sight on strategic export opportunities through Global Affairs Canada’s Defence Exports Division.
The strategy encourages collaboration with trusted allies to deliver capabilities for the Canadian Armed Forces while expanding support for Canadian businesses to help them export more of their products and services abroad.
The world is changing rapidly. The international rules-based order is fading, and technological change is expanding the fields of conflict. That is why Canada is focusing on what it can control: rebuilding, rearming and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces. Canada is pursuing a long-term, whole-of-government approach to strengthening the defence industrial base as a pillar of national security, economic prosperity and strategic autonomy.
Through Canada’s first-ever Defence Industrial Strategy, Canada is strengthening the industrial foundations that support the country’s security and economic resilience. By aligning long-term defence investments with industrial capability, the strategy supports Canadian businesses and workers, strengthening domestic supply chains, and reinforces Canada as a trusted partner to its Allies. Canada is making generational investments in its defence ecosystem to transform its military, to create good, high-paying careers for Canadians across the country and, crucially, to supply the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment it needs to keep Canada safe and sovereign.
Quotes
“Canada’s first-ever Defence Industrial Strategy builds on a sector of nearly 600 companies supporting more than 80,000 workers. These new initiatives will create an additional 125,000 high-paying careers while increasing defence exports by 50 per cent. Nearly half of what we produce is already sold abroad, and by expanding into new markets, we’re turning global demand into growth here at home. Today at BlackBerry, we see exactly how export opportunities translate into good jobs, advanced innovation, and long-term economic strength for Canadians.”
- Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade
Quick facts
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The Defence Industrial Strategy builds on 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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The Defence Industrial Strategy positions Canadian industry to take advantage of $180 billion in defence procurement opportunities and $290 billion in defence-related capital investment opportunities in Canada over the next 10 years.
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Increasing investments in core military capabilities, building up Canadian industry and making dual-use investments are putting Canada on a pathway to meeting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s new Defence Investment Pledge to invest 5% of gross domestic product by 2035.
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Canada’s defence industry contributes nearly $10 billion to GDP and supports over 81,000 jobs.
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Associated links
- Prime Minister Carney announces the launch of Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy
- Canada’s new government is rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces
- Canada joins new NATO Defence Investment Pledge
- Prime Minister Carney launches new Defence Investment Agency to rebuild, rearm, and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces faster
Contacts
Erin Quevillon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade
343-203-7332
Erin.Quevillon@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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