Question Period Note: Canada’s defence policy

How is the Defence Policy supporting the Canadian Armed Forces and enabling the Defence Team to fulfil its mandate as the global environment becomes more unpredictable?

• In today’s world, we are confronted with a complex, generational challenge.
• Changing physical and geopolitical landscapes have created new threats and vulnerabilities to Canada, Canadians, and our partners and Allies.
• Canada’s Defence Policy – Our North, Strong and Free – enables National Defence to address the most urgent and important tasks we face.
• This includes asserting Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic, protecting North America, and supporting our Allies around the world.
• With the growing interest of our adversaries in the Arctic region, we must increase our military’s mobility and responsiveness in the North.
• To this end, National Defence is investing $2.67 billion – over 20 years – to set up Northern Operational Support Hubs, enabling a greater year-round military presence in the North.
• To enhance our ability to surveil and control our underwater and maritime approaches, National Defence has also launched the process to procure up to 12 conventionally powered submarines.
• In order to further protect North America, we are building on our $38.6 billion commitment to modernize NORAD.
• In fact, we recently announced our intention to partner with Australia to develop advanced Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar technology that will bolster domain awareness in Canada’s North.
• Internationally, we are working towards meeting the NATO 2% spending commitment, in support of our Allies.
• This includes efforts to increase the production of NATO-standard artillery ammunition.
• We remain committed to protecting Canadians and we will continue to invest in the right capabilities for the current and future needs of our country.

Responsible Principals: Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy), Assistant Deputy Minister (Finance)

May 15, 2025

Quick facts

Our North, Strong and Free (ONSAF) is laid out in four sections:
* Section I assesses current geopolitical context and implications for Canadian interests;
* Section II articulates an updated vision for our miliary, focused on ensuring the Canadian Armed Forces 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.
* Notes on key capabilities highlighted in ONSAF, can be found at the following tabs:
* Investments in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization: Tab 04
* Modernization of the North American Aerospace Defense Command: Tab 05
* Northern Operational Support Hubs: Tabs 06 and 25
* Ammunition: Tab 18
* Submarines: Tab 19
The policy features six major themes:
* Supporting our people;
* Strengthening our foundations;
* Building an innovative industrial base;
* Defending Canada;
* Defending the Arctic and North America; and,
* Defending Canada’s global interests and values.
Investments:
* $8.1 billion over five years (fiscal year 2024-25 to 2028-29).
* $73 billion over twenty years (fiscal year 2024-25 to 2043-44).
Review Cycle:
* Defence will undertake strategic policy reviews every four years.
* This deliberate approach will lay the foundations for sustainable, long-term success and continued growth in our defence capabilities.

Responsible Principals: Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy), Assistant Deputy Minister (Finance)

May 15, 2025