Question Period Note: Our North, Strong And Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence

How is the Defence Policy Update supporting the Canadian Armed Forces and allowing the Defence Team to reach its full potential?

• In response to our Government’s Budget 2022 commitment to review our defence policy, I announced a renewed vision for Canada’s defence - Our North, Strong and Free.
• This policy will continue to strengthen the defence of Canada by investing in our people, capabilities, and capacity at home and abroad.
• For example, we will increase our defence spending by $8.1 billion over the next five years and $73 billion over the next twenty years.
• This is a significant downpayment on Canada’s commitment to reach expenditures of 2% of gross domestic product and fulfil our pledge to NATO.
• I am proud that we are continuing to invest in our world-class Defence team, who serve Canada with great courage and devotion.
• I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm that Canada will always do whatever it takes to support them.

If pressed on specific initiatives:

• This policy prioritizes the defence of Canada, with a focus on the Arctic.
• One example is the establishment of Northern Operational Support Hubs, which will enable the Canadian Armed Forces to better assert Canadian sovereignty and a greater year-round military presence across the Arctic and the North.
• It also includes important initiatives that will support our military members.
• For example, we will establish a Canadian Armed Forces Housing Strategy to rehabilitate existing housing and build new housing.
• We will also provide Canadian Armed Forces members with greater access to affordable childcare at bases.
• We will further invest in current and new infrastructure, and develop sustained, strategic partnerships when working with industry, innovators, and researchers to build an effective defence industrial base.
• In addition to many new initiatives, we continue to build a more inclusive and supportive force by pursuing the proposed legislative changes outlined in Bill C-66 and implementing 206 external recommendations.
• Ultimately, the policy laid out in Our North, Strong and Free will help maintain the security and prosperity that Canadians have long enjoyed, in addition to protecting and promoting Canadian interests around the world.

Our North Strong and Free is laid out in three sections:

• Section I assesses the current geopolitical context and the implications for Canadian interests;
• Section II articulates an updated vision for our miliary, focused on ensuring the CAF is ready, resilient, and relevant in the new security environment; and
• Section III and IV outline our plan to deliver on this vision, focused on strengthening the foundations of our military, modernizing existing capabilities and acquiring new ones, improving our capacity to implement through building civilian capacity, reforming procurement, digitalizing the military, leveraging innovations, and developing a stronger relationship with Canada’s defence industrial base.

Investments:

• $8.1 billion over the next five years.
• $73 billion over the next twenty years.

Review Cycle:

• Defence will undertake strategic policy reviews every four years, as part of an integrated update to Canada’s National Security Strategy.
• This deliberate approach will lay the foundations for sustainable, long-term success and continued growth in our defence capabilities.

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