National Defence Committee on May 6th, 2026

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

That's a loaded question. The idea is that Canada would consider joining the ranks of all of our Scandinavian partners and other locations around the world that have their own civil guard-type structure. One reason this is being considered is due to the unbelievable uptick by Canadians who want to be involved, in some way, shape or form, and serve the country.

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

The last time you were here, I asked about the injured soldiers who had the cold injuries from being on an Arctic exercise. Have they been provided with the proper equipment they need to...?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

I certainly asked that it be the case. I'm told that this was a very unfortunate occurrence. They were sent to an area where they did not contemplate the depth of the cold they would encounter.

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

They didn't have the Canadian Rangers there to guide them and warn them.

What about the Canadian Rangers? Will they be provided with equipment of equal quality for the Arctic expeditions?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Vice-Chief, is that the case?

[Stephen Kelsey, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Canadian Armed Forces, Department of National Defence]

It is, yes. It's different equipment, but the Canadian Rangers enhancement aspires to give them better equipment because they operate in that environment continuously.

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

In your defence industrial strategy, we see that everything's going to be ready by 2035. What about the milestones for timelines and the according financial payments that need to be made so that we know we're budgeting for it and not just going in the hole another $100 million every time something comes due?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

We are, in fact, actively engaged in that, laying track for the next nine or 10 years. As you can imagine, procuring this kind of military materiel has to be done over time. If we're buying, for example, howitzers, we know they're going to be serviced over a 20- to 40-year period. We know that HIMARS are lasting 10 to 30 years. That costing will continue as we lay track for the next 3.5%.

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

You've purchased HIMARS already. We have the ships on the go, and there are other major procurements. Will you share the timeline?

Now you're saying you're going to order them, and they're going to be ready by 2035. However, we want to see, as time goes on, that they're really going to be here and be ready to use by 2035. Will you provide us with a timeline?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Within reason, I will. I'll take that up with my chief financial officer and see what is permissible under Treasury Board rules.

We are meeting timelines now. We're going at a speed heretofore never seen. As you know, for example, down-selecting from five to two submarines was done in four months and not three years.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

I'm sorry, guys, but we're done. You've had your five minutes.

I'm going to Ms. Idlout.

It's over to you for five minutes.

[Lori Idlout, Liberal, Nunavut, NU]

Qujannamiik, Iksivautaq. Thank you, Chair.

Thank you to the minister for presenting and to all those who serve in the Canadian Armed Forces. I really appreciate it.

The history of how Canada originally asserted its sovereignty over the Arctic is a bit of a dark one. For example, sending Inuit from northern Quebec to the High Arctic, to Resolute and Grise Fiord, was quite the policy that still has an impact on Inuit.

Despite that history, I think the Canadian Armed Forces have done an excellent job and have been leaders in reconciliation through their actions. There are great examples with the Canadian Rangers and Joint Task Force North. There are some great examples of ways that you've made sure to reconcile that history.

Just so you know, I have direct family relations. My grandfather, Joseph Idlout, went on a dog team with his family, including my dad, from the Pond Inlet area to Resolute to train the Inuit who didn't know how to live in the High Arctic. That's why Arctic security has always been of interest to me.

We still need to focus on making sure we are strengthening our defence capabilities in the Arctic. I wonder, Minister, if you could share how the northern operational support hubs, the NOSHs, will meet that objective.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

That's an excellent question and a big one.

Ms. Idlout, we consciously made a decision a year ago that, going forward, we have to work hand in glove in partnership with the people who live in the Arctic and the High Arctic. It is the only way we're going to be able to continue to assert our sovereignty, in our view, and we have to do it as partners. That's why we're collaborating so closely intergovernmentally with northern first nations, Inuit and Métis partners under our obligations under modern treaties, land claims agreements and self-government agreements. We're navigating through those, and we're being informed by those.

That's why we also have an Inuit-Crown partnership committee. It meets three times annually, providing briefings to northern premiers and indigenous leaders. I've met with two of the three northern premiers. I'll be meeting with the third from the Yukon in due course. The ICPC has co-developed a work plan with defence focused on multi-purpose infrastructure and procurement in Inuit Nunangat.

We're looking now at these NOSHs. You're aware that the Prime Minister and I were in Yellowknife. We announced these NOSHs and their construction.

These are hubs that are going to better ensure that Canadian sovereignty is established year-long for a year-round presence across the Arctic and the north. They are investing in multi-purpose, dual-use infrastructure that meets the needs of the territories, indigenous peoples and northern communities. This includes landing strips, particular roadways, electrification, energy systems, housing, medical opportunities, medical clinics and so on.

This is being combined with our Major Projects Office, working in pincer movement with them. It's working with ICPC, other departments, other ministers and the people who live there who are our first line of defence.

That's why this is so important. We're trying to make sure we get this right.

[Lori Idlout, Liberal, Nunavut, NU]

Thank you so much.

I have a more targeted question regarding the defence industrial strategy. In what ways will you prioritize the well-being and economic development of indigenous peoples?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

It's a question we get frequently. It's about whether or not we can make sure that we have a certain amount of economic participation. It's something we're looking at very carefully. I know that Wendy is working on small and medium-sized business implications for participation in the defence industrial strategy and the economic activities that will come. We're very sensitive to this. We're of the view that there is no company too small and no gathering too small to participate.

I'll give you an example. It's not a northern one. I was in Trois-Rivières meeting with an engineering company that's one of the best in the country on radar. They have nine employees. They're very keen on expanding from nine to 20. That doubles their growth. If we can do that more than 600 times in terms of the companies we have now in place, including companies in the north, then we're very much on our way to creating those 125,000 jobs.

That is definitely an input that we are looking at now: how we engage, involve and make sure they can participate fulsomely.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

Thank you.

Go ahead, Monsieur Savard-Tremblay.

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

Minister, I have reread the article you said was speculative, but I'd still like to quote it, as it contains some more specific details. I'd like you to tell me if they're speculative, and, in that regard, if they are true or false.

For example, the article states that:

To defend itself, the Canadian government wants to acquire a fleet of six “flying radars” that would cost over $5 billion, officially called early warning and long-range detection aircraft. This program aims to purchase aircraft equipped with radar and detection systems that fly at altitudes of over 10 km in search of enemy missiles, aircraft, or drones. […] The Carney administration states that it wants to act quickly to acquire these new detection aircraft, particularly to fulfill its promise to increase domestic production of military equipment.

That's still pretty specific. Is this something under consideration, or are we already well into the process?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

It would be better to direct this question to Mr. Fuhr, as he is the secretary of state responsible for the procurement of such aircraft.

We, on the other hand, identify the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces. That is exactly why we created the Defence Investment Agency. We created it to make things more professional, to ensure the process is more efficient and to speed things up in a responsible manner.

So, the question on the procurement is one that arises during the planning phase, when decisions are being made, so it's best to check with Mr. Fuhr.

My understanding is that, within the Canadian Armed Forces, we are currently assessing our needs. Subsequently, our needs will be communicated to the agency responsible for a potential procurement.

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

Ultimately, the agency is responsible for procurement. You assess the needs.

The people at the agency seem pretty sure of where they're headed, whereas you told me that, for your part, you're still studying the issue of fighter jets.

In any case, it seems pretty specific in the article.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

I'm seeing this article for the first time. It's speculative. At this point, I'm not in a position to confirm where things stand. We're looking into the matter. I can't speak for the Defence Investment Agency.

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

Logically, if the decision were made, you'd be told to stop thinking about it, that everything is fine, and that you're wasting your time.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

That's not exactly how it works.

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

Tell me how it works.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

It's a matter of aligning the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces with the final decision that will be made, as is the case with the F‑35s. Ultimately, we will pass the ball back to the Defence Investment Agency. That agency will initiate negotiations, just as it is currently doing with the submarines.

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

I would have liked to continue this discussion but it seems I've run out of time.