Government of Canada to announce investments in Western Canada supporting the Canadian Armed Forces following achievement of the NATO 2% defence spending target

March 31, 2026 – Victoria, BC – Veterans Affairs Canada

Media are invited to attend an announcement by The Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National highlighting investments following achievement of the NATO 2% defence spending target.

The announcement will focus on investments in Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt and strengthening national security supported by Canada’s commitment to investing in defence.

When:     April 1, 2026

Time:      10:00 am PDT

Where:   Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt
                 His Majesty’s Canadian Dockyard Main Gate B Jetty
                 Victoria, BC

Notes to editor

Media who want to participate are asked to register in advance by contacting media@veterans.gc.ca with the name(s) of their attendee(s) and media outlet no later than 08:00 am (local) on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Please bring government-issued photo identification to the event. Upon arrival, media will be greeted and escorted to B Jetty where the announcement will take place. An escort will greet media at the main gate at 9:30am and accompany them back to the gate upon completion of the event.