National Defence Committee on Sept. 18th, 2025

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

So you can confirm that China's military activities are intensifying.

My question is for Mr. Laporte, but Mr. Curran can obviously add to it.

Mr. Laporte, I read that you were with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.

Can you tell me to what extent the Chinese military depends on Canada for technology, such as chips, software and engines?

In other words, in its trade with China, is Canada helping to strengthen the Chinese army?

[Eric Laporte]

I work at Global Affairs Canada, but on the policy side and not on the trade side, so I don't have the answer to that question.

However, we still have an export control regime that examines Canadian products sold abroad, and we always analyze the implications for regional security, human rights and national security in Canada. When we make export decisions, we always consult the Department of National Defence, which assesses their impact on national security.

So there is an awareness, as you say, in terms of ensuring that Canadian components sold abroad are not being sent to the Chinese armed forces.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

Thank you very much.

We can note that we went into panel two just now, which is fine, if the committee is okay with that. We can have a free-for-all.

Monsieur Savard-Tremblay, thank you so much. I am now going to pass it over to Mr. Jeff Kibble.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and through you to the witnesses, I'm looking to explore some capability in threats that our CAF personnel who are deployed in Latvia are facing.

Thank you, General Ritchie, for your service. Could you tell me how many troops we have there right now?

[Robert Ritchie]

I will pull up the exact number, but we fluctuate around 2,200. The number, as I mentioned, maxes out at 3,000 through the episodic commitments of both air and maritime contingents. Presently, we have our air contribution in both Latvia and Prestwick. As well, we have three ships currently contributed to NATO, and therefore we're on the higher end of 2,500, but we do hit 3,000 from time to time.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Thank you. Does that 3,000 include the ships that are there, or is it approximately just 2,200 on the ground in Latvia?

[Robert Ritchie]

In Latvia, 2,200 is an accurate approximation.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Thank you.

I recently visited CFB Edmonton and I heard about some of the challenges they're facing there. Can you briefly tell me the timeline of the cycle for force generation, their deployment and their return, regroup and resting?

[Robert Ritchie]

Historically, readiness models have involved three phases: preparation for the deployment and execution of a mission, and then the recovery and the reconstitution of the force.

That has changed for Latvia specifically. We've moved the force generation training out of Wainwright, Alberta, where it was conducted previously. It is now being done in Latvia, with the host nation, alongside the 13 allies. To make sure that we can maximize our contribution to the nation while still supporting our people, we are continuing to assess the duration of the deployments, which will condition the preparation and the recovery time based on the cumulative demand for the Canadian Armed Forces.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Would it be fair to say that the cycle has been compressed since the deployment began?

[Robert Ritchie]

The cycle continues to be optimized, and as there are changes in theatre, both in Europe as well as in support to the Ukrainian armed forces, there are adjustments to the cycles. I can't speak to whether a specific group may have had a slightly adjusted schedule.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

You mentioned an extension of three years. Based on the troops and the information that I've heard from the base in Edmonton, do you assess it as a challenge for the CAF to maintain this cycle for another three years?

[Robert Ritchie]

Indeed, our most significant contribution is Operation Reassurance. For the Canadian Army, the focal point is our commitment to Latvia. At present, we are sustaining our contribution, but it is alongside other emerging global instabilities. As we consider potential increases in Latvia, we'll have to do that with a clear mind to other challenges and the choice space that these challenges present.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

I've heard official statements saying that adding troops to Ukraine based on potential security agreements and guarantees is a possibility being looked at in the future. Will that potential new commitment impact the capability of the approximately 2,200 personnel on the ground in Latvia?

[Robert Ritchie]

This is, indeed, a global challenge with the fixed forces that we have. At present, we are resolute in our commitment to Latvia, and we see that being unchanged. That said, led by the U.K. and France, we are working in collaboration with allies on the coalition of the willing to examine possibilities for force generation of elements across 30 contributing nations to assist in a just peace for Ukraine, should a ceasefire be reached.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Thank you very much.

I would like to ask a question specifically for Canada, because you referred to other allies. Are we going to be able to maintain the approximately 2,000 in Latvia concurrent with a potential commitment in Ukraine?

[Robert Ritchie]

Yes, we can maintain the current contribution to Operation Reassurance in Latvia, but it is absolutely informing our capacity to contribute to an expanded mission in Ukraine should the coalition of the willing deploy forces on the eve of a ceasefire agreement that may be reached.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Thank you.

You mentioned pre-deployment.

The time is up?

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

Thank you. That was five minutes.

Just for the benefit of the witnesses, there is a second panel. It is going to be dealing with the Asia-Pacific, and there will be opening remarks by the witnesses. Could we try to concentrate on the Euro-Atlantic region during this panel to enable—

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

If I may, Mr. Chair, I would like to raise a point.

Can we not ask questions as we see fit? If we have more to ask on the Indo-Pacific region, can we not expand on the other session? Are you suggesting that we can't ask questions—

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

I am suggesting for the benefit of the witnesses, that's all, because they came prepared for two different panels and they have opening remarks in the second panel. By all means, the members are free to ask whatever they wish. I'm just asking us to be courteous to the witnesses because of what they have prepared before us.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Mr. Chair, the witnesses are well prepared on both issues and can handle them. It's the same panel for both hearings, so I—

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

I leave it to the members to decide how they want to proceed. I'm just being cognizant of the witnesses and the second panel, in which they will be given an opportunity to have opening remarks. Oh, they're very capable, absolutely.

Next, it's over to you, MP Malette. You have five minutes.

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

Thank you very much.

Through you, Mr. Chair, this summer, Minister McGuinty and Prime Minister Carney were in Brussels to sign a new deal with European Union states regarding defence procurement, among other things.

My question is to Mr. Curran.

Can you tell us more about how Canada is forging new partnerships with EU member states to support Ukraine?

[Ty Curran]

I'll turn to my colleague from GAC, and then I can provide some additional comments.