Question Period Notes
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Arctic Infrastructure Fund
The National Shipbuilding Strategy is a long-term commitment to renew the vessel fleets of the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard, create a sustainable shipbuilding sector, and generate economic benefits for Canadians.
Note: All questions related to budget, requirements, timelines, international comparisons, and project management should be directed to the Minister of National Defence.
On May 27, 2026, the Government of Canada announced it is entering into discussions with Saab of Sweden as the preferred supplier for the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWC) capability.
While AEWC is a critical capability for Arctic sovereignty and NORAD modernization, questions have been raised regarding procurement timelines, cost pressures, foreign partnership, interoperability, and workforce capacity.
AEWC is a transformational investment that will give Canada its own airborne early warning capability for the first time. This investment will strengthen Arctic sovereignty, support NORAD, create jobs and deliver industrial benefits.
Stakeholders are seeking timely implementation of the Defence Advisory Forum announced under Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, with expectations that it will enhance engagement with industry, improve procurement outcomes, and ensure accountability for delivering results.
The National Shipbuilding Strategy is a long-term commitment to renew the vessel fleets of the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard, create a sustainable shipbuilding sector, and generate economic benefits for Canadians.
Note: All questions related to budget, requirements, timelines, international comparisons, and project management should be directed to the Minister of National Defence.
Real gross domestic product (GDP) was flat (-0.1% in annual rates) in the first quarter of 2026, following a 1.0% decline in the fourth quarter (revised down from -0.6%). This was well below market expectations of a 1.5% gain (Bloomberg median).
Combined with a 4.7% increase in GDP inflation, this drove nominal GDP (the broadest measure of the tax base) up 4.6% in the first quarter. The level of nominal GDP was $7 billion lower than projected in the 2026 Spring Economic Update.
Why does Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) require additional authorities in the Supplementary Estimates (A) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2027?
Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $2.7 million of Funding to administer supplemental payments to Canada Disability Benefit recipients in the Supplementary Estimates (A) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2027?
Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $20.0 million for Funding for the Migrant Worker Support Program in the Supplementary Estimates (A) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2027?
What is the Government of Canada doing to support apprenticeship and the skilled trades? Demand for skilled trades workers is expected to remain strong, with over 593,000 projected job openings in Red Seal trade-related occupations between 2024 and 20331.
The scale of investments in housing and infrastructure projects will add to this demand. If nothing changes, Canada will face a persistent gap of more than 20,000 skilled trades workers per year.
Apprenticeship is a proven industry-based method of training, combining on-the-job (about 85%) and in-class technical training (about 15%) that leads to certification in a skilled trade.
Apprenticeship is a provincial/territorial responsibility. However, the Federal Government plays a key role by making significant investments through various initiatives, including the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy (CAS), to support apprenticeship and the skilled trades. The CAS, delivered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), aims to support a trades workforce that is skilled, diverse and job-ready for today’s economy.
Employers play a fundamental role in apprenticeship and effective apprenticeship systems rely on their active participation.
Unions also play a critical role in apprenticeship. They provide quality training and upskilling opportunities to apprentices and journeypersons in the Red Seal trades. They also provide required occupational health and safety training and mentorship opportunities for apprentices with experienced journeypersons.