Quick Read
- Prime Minister Mark Carney to release $6.6 billion defence strategy today.
- Plan prioritizes domestic military equipment production and Canadian defence firms.
- Aims to create up to 125,000 new jobs over the next decade.
- Strategy comes after delays and a recent leak to international media.
- Also seeks to meet NATO’s 5% GDP defence spending target by 2035.
OTTAWA (Azat TV) – Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to publicly release Canada’s long-awaited $6.6-billion “Buy Canadian” defence industrial strategy today, February 17, 2026. This announcement, coming after significant delays and a weekend leak to an international news publication, outlines a comprehensive plan to prioritize domestic military equipment production, increase defence contracts for Canadian firms, and generate up to 125,000 new jobs over the next decade.
The much-anticipated roadmap for growing Canada’s defence industry was originally slated for release last year but faced repeated postponements. The unexpected leak over the weekend, which brought key details of the strategy into the public domain prematurely, has added a layer of urgency to today’s official unveiling by Prime Minister Carney.
Canada’s New Defence Strategy: A Domestic Focus
The core of the new defence industrial strategy is its strong emphasis on bolstering Canada’s domestic capabilities. The $6.6-billion plan explicitly promises to prioritize the manufacturing of military equipment within Canada’s borders. This commitment is designed to enhance national security by strengthening supply chains and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers, particularly in an increasingly volatile global landscape. The strategy will also significantly increase the share of defence contracts awarded to Canadian firms, fostering growth and innovation within the national industrial base.
Officials emphasize that this approach is not merely about economic protectionism but about strategic resilience. By investing in Canadian companies, the government aims to ensure that critical defence technologies and manufacturing capacities are secure and readily available, providing a stable foundation for the Canadian Armed Forces’ operational needs.
Boosting Industry and Job Creation with “Buy Canadian”
A key economic objective of the “Buy Canadian” plan is its projected impact on the national workforce and business landscape. The strategy is expected to create up to 125,000 new jobs across Canada over the next ten years, a significant boost to the economy. This job growth is anticipated to stem from increased defence spending directed towards Canadian companies, stimulating employment in manufacturing, research and development, and various support sectors.
Furthermore, the plan specifically targets the growth of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), encouraging more of them to enter and thrive within the defence sector. This initiative aims to diversify Canada’s defence industrial base, leveraging the innovative potential of smaller enterprises and creating a more robust and competitive domestic market. The government believes that supporting SMEs will not only create jobs but also foster specialized expertise and technological advancements vital for future defence capabilities.
Meeting NATO Commitments and Strengthening Supply Chains
The release of this new strategy also aligns with Canada’s broader international defence obligations and its commitment to strengthening military supply chains. The plan comes as Ottawa moves to shore up these critical supply networks, ensuring consistent access to essential components and services for its military. This focus on supply chain resilience is particularly pertinent given recent global disruptions and geopolitical tensions that have highlighted vulnerabilities in international logistics.
Crucially, the strategy is designed to help Canada meet a new and ambitious NATO commitment: spending the equivalent of five percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defence by 2035. This target reflects a renewed collective defence effort among NATO allies, and Canada’s industrial strategy is positioned as a key instrument in achieving this goal. By fostering a strong domestic defence industry, Canada aims to contribute more effectively to allied operations and maintain its role as a reliable partner within the alliance.
The timing of the strategy’s release, following an unexpected leak, underscores the government’s determination to formalize its long-term vision for defence industrial policy, signaling a strategic pivot towards greater domestic self-reliance and adherence to international defence spending targets.