National Defence Committee on Jan. 26th, 2026

[Lgen Jamie Speiser-Blanchet]

Right now, the gaps we are addressing with NORAD modernization are focused a lot on the radar systems that we've been speaking of. As mentioned, the north warning system does provide a certain coverage, and the Arctic over-the-horizon radar will fill in a very wide swath in addition to that. There will also be more ability from the space side to be able to detect.

As to fighter capability, as a fifth-generation fighter, the F-35 provides lethality and survivability against the known threats that are being developed by adversaries; therefore, the gaps that would be created would simply be related to the technology that adversaries are developing that we would not have at hand.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke, ON]

With respect to data infrastructure and communications infrastructure, there are new systems that need to be brought up. At what stage of the contracts are they with respect to the radio and data links? I'm wondering if there have been tenders put out yet for the communications infrastructure in the Arctic—not satellite, but radio and data, so that the F-35s could operate if we get them.

[Peter Hammerschmidt]

I mentioned earlier the design and construction work that will start in the forward operating locations. It will include IM and IT upgrades to ensure that communications infrastructure in place.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke, ON]

The question was about contracts. Have any been put out to tender yet? Has there been a request for proposals? Where are we in terms of actually getting this infrastructure in place?

[Lgen Jamie Speiser-Blanchet]

I can expand somewhat on the RCAF air communications expansion, a project known as RACE, which covers part of that. No one contract covers everything, as there's certainly a combination of several factors, but this project will deliver a modernized radio network to improve the performance and sustainability of many aspects of the Canadian air defence sector enterprise. It is meant to have initial operational capability by 2031.

I don't have information on specific contracts. However, that is well in hand, and progress is being made on the projects. An update could be provided separately.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke, ON]

Originally, the first Canadian delivery of the F-35 was supposed to be in 2026. Now it's 2028. Why that difference?

[Lgen Jamie Speiser-Blanchet]

The first Canadian F-35 will be delivered in 2026 to Luke Air Force Base. Canadian aircrew will start flying on it. The first Canadian F-35 will be delivered to Canada and one of our wings in 2028, after there's been a sufficient number of pilots and technicians trained and after sufficient infrastructure is in place to support it in Cold Lake. The first phase is Cold Lake, and then after subsequent years and developments, it will move and be delivered to Bagotville.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke, ON]

Recently, the commander of NORAD said that China and Russia have increased their co-operation in the Arctic, whether it be on sea or air intrusions. How integrated is the operation and co-operation of those two military forces, in your opinion?

[Lgen Jamie Speiser-Blanchet]

They've been working together, as we've seen, so it is absolutely important to be monitoring this kind of activity. The fact that they're more joined up is something new. The level of co-operation is not something that seems to be particularly advanced, but at this moment it's very important for us to pay attention to all the threats and actions from our adversaries.

They are certainly advancing a lot of technologies very rapidly. We are keen to keep pace with that and continue on with our NORAD modernization and continental defence projects to ensure that Canada is well postured to defend against them.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

Thank you.

Monsieur Malette, you have up to five minutes.

[Chris Malette, Liberal, Bay of Quinte, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, panel members, for attending today.

As I proudly mentioned to General Speiser-Blanchet, 8 Wing CFB Trenton, which is in my riding of Bay of Quinte, is the hub of RCAF air mobility operations and provides strategic airlift and aerial refuelling and support to Arctic locations such as CFS Alert. How do these missions contribute to Canada's role in the NORAD modernization effort? Specifically, how does Trenton's support to Alert and other northern operations bolster continental deterrence and response capability?

I'd ask General Speiser-Blanchet to answer that, if I could.

[Lgen Jamie Speiser-Blanchet]

As you mentioned, 8 Wing certainly has a very important role in providing the strategic airlift that Canada relies upon. Within a NORAD context, Canadian aircraft are often used to assist in resupplying for Pituffik in Greenland and for the U.S. forces there.

I would offer that even outside of 8 Wing, the Royal Canadian Air Force has many assets that we continue to exercise with our NORAD partners on a routine basis. The collaboration is very strong. The Canadian contribution is very positive and quite solid and is seen as an important contributor.

[Chris Malette, Liberal, Bay of Quinte, ON]

Further to that, as a more nuts-and-bolts question, is the existing infrastructure at 8 Wing and its Alert unit, such as runways, hangars, fuel storage and command facilities, sufficient to support increased NORAD-related operational tempo vis-à-vis the pace and intensity of operations over time?

My question would be for Mr. Hammerschmidt.

[Peter Hammerschmidt]

I think there is a broad recognition that there needs to be a significant infusion of investment funding for infrastructure across all of our operating locations that support NORAD. That was one of the key pillars of the NORAD modernization announcement and the funding that flowed from that.

Places like Alert need a lot of work on their runways, accommodations, fuel facilities and logistics—and Trenton too—so we have an active infrastructure program that is directing resources to all of the sites and bases across the country that support the NORAD mission.

With regard to 8 Wing in particular, we will start to see investment in the infrastructure that will support the strategic tanker replacement project, STTC, in the second half of this year. We're going to see construction begin there soon.

[Chris Malette, Liberal, Bay of Quinte, ON]

Very good. Thank you.

This question is directed to Mr. Quinn.

How has the threat environment facing North America, sir, changed in the last month, or even in recent years, particularly with respect to Arctic and maritime approaches?

[Jonathan Quinn]

I'll say a few words and then General Speiser-Blanchet may have more to add on this one as well.

We have recognized for some time that the threat environment is changing fairly significantly. This is why we've been on a path, dating back to at least 2017, to really prioritize investments in domestic continental defence and NORAD modernization to deal with the evolving threat.

In terms of specifics, it's about much more sophisticated missile technology. Conventionally armed cruise missiles that have a much longer range can reach North America from further away, from various platforms, including submarines, other aircraft...and land-launched missiles. The idea of hypersonic weapons has come up already during the appearance today. That's a significant threat.

In addition to aerospace threats, we're seeing lots more activity in what we call the grey zone. Cyber-threats to our critical infrastructure, cyber-espionage and that sort of thing are also a real concern. It's not necessarily always a National Defence lead to prepare for and defend against the full range of threats, but we work very closely with our colleagues across the federal government to do that.

General, would you like to add anything to the threat environment?

[Lgen Jamie Speiser-Blanchet]

Certainly. Thank you.

As mentioned, China and Russia have both demonstrated systems—hypersonic glide vehicles, long-range cruise missiles, fractional orbital concepts—that are explicitly designed to evade North American warning systems. These are driving the modernization efforts that contribute to NORAD modernization and continental defence and allow us to address the reduced warning time that comes with these advanced threats.

In an era of strategic competition, all of the parties are developing and advancing their technologies to hold North America and western allies at risk. That is, of course, driving us to address that and work on developing increasingly lethal capabilities so that Canada can continue to accelerate and modernize its ability to defend.

A transition to interoperable fifth-generation capabilities will enable Canada to remain a reliable partner in NORAD and also, importantly, in NATO, to contribute meaningfully to that collective defence.

[Chris Malette, Liberal, Bay of Quinte, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

Thank you very much.

Monsieur Savard-Tremblay, you have two and a half minutes.

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Quinn, the geopolitical balance has been disrupted. Everyone's talking about the Chinese threat and the Russian threat in the Arctic.

Have you heard anything? What's the situation? Are things stirring up? Do you think they'll do something in the Arctic? Are there hints? Are there exercises being conducted, or air sorties? Are we seeing any movement on their part? What's going on?

[Jonathan Quinn]

Thank you very much for the question.

Certainly, there is lots of activity, lots of interest in the Arctic and lots of dynamics at play, including the changing physical environment through climate change. Canada's north is warming at somewhere between three and four times the global average rate, which is changing the physical environment in ways that are increasing the amount of interest from potential adversaries in the region. We are seeing more activity from China and Russia, and some dual-use activity as well, where there are scientific expeditions that can inform governments about future military operations and that sort of thing.

It's something we monitor extremely closely with existing capabilities, and we're investing heavily to enhance those capabilities so we can continue to keep up with the level of activity and interest in the north.

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

The “Golden Dome” sporadically comes back on topic. The name first appeared after Mr. Trump's election. We sometimes hear about it, it comes up a lot in official speeches, then it disappears for a few months. It's not a new concept; “Star Wars” has been a topic for more than 40 years, since the Ronald Reagan presidency.

Are there official ongoing discussions on the matter? Are we still just at the public statements stage?

[Jonathan Quinn]

Once again, thank you for the question.

Integrated air and missile defence is how we tend to refer to that in Canada. NORAD has been very actively involved in integrated air and missile defence for many years. A lot of the investments we've been talking about today will continue to enhance Canada's contributions to that, particularly on the domain awareness side of things. Through our colleagues at NORAD, we're constantly in touch to figure out what the gaps are in defending against evolving threats and where Canada can add more value through capability investments.

I would point out as well that in the most recent defence policy, “Our North, Strong and Free”, the government committed to exploring what more Canada can do with respect to integrated air and missile defence. That's under active analysis right now, and we expect that as we move forward to reach the new NATO 3.5% and 5% defence targets, that will be a key focus and prioritization as we explore how to invest those additional funds.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

Thank you, Mr. Quinn.

Mr. Anderson, you have five minutes.

[Scott Anderson, Conservative, Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, BC]

Thank you very much.

This question is for either Lieutenant-General Speiser-Blanchet or Mr. Quinn. Can you give us an update on the 11 SkyGuardian drones and their delivery?