Defence minister tells arms makers to prepare for accelerated federal spending

Defence Minister David McGuinty made a bold statement in his first major public speech, rallying the country’s top arms manufacturers to support the Liberal government’s plans to boost military spending. Speaking at the annual CANSEC defence trade show in Ottawa, McGuinty emphasized the government’s commitment to rebuilding Canada’s defence capacity swiftly and decisively.

In light of U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks about annexing Canada and the recent throne speech promising participation in the $1.25-trillion ReArm Europe initiative, McGuinty’s call to action was timely. The government aims to sign the deal by Canada Day, as Prime Minister Mark Carney mentioned in an interview on CBC’s Power & Politics.

McGuinty stressed the importance of partnership with defence contractors in achieving the government’s goals. Acknowledging the concerns raised by companies about the slow and complex procurement process, he assured them that their feedback had been taken into account.

Furthermore, McGuinty hinted at surpassing NATO’s two percent GDP target for defence spending, with plans to triple spending by 2030. He suggested that the government might accelerate this timeline, aligning with NATO’s potential increase of the benchmark to five percent at the upcoming leaders summit in June.

While delivering his speech at CANSEC, McGuinty did not engage with reporters afterward, leaving with his staff through the back curtain. The event served as a platform for building relationships with arms manufacturers and addressing their needs in supporting Canada’s military capabilities.

In conclusion, the Liberal government’s push for increased military spending and collaboration with industry stakeholders signals a proactive approach to enhancing Canada’s defence capabilities. McGuinty’s speech at CANSEC underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving national security objectives.