National Defence

The committee met to study Supplementary Estimates (C) for the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian Coast Guard and the Communications Security Establishment. Appearing were Minister of National Defence David McGuinty, Deputy Minister Christiane Fox, Assistant Deputy Minister Heather Sheehy, and Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Stephen Kelsey.

Minister McGuinty testified that the $1.05 billion in requested funding is essential to reach the 2% GDP defence spending target, covering major procurements, northern operations, recruitment, and the Coast Guard's expanded security role. He highlighted a 13% increase in CAF applications and announced historic investments in Canadian defence industries, including a high-explosive projectiles facility and new artillery production. He also noted $40 billion in Arctic investments for NORAD modernization and dual-use infrastructure, and said the defence industrial strategy aims to grow the sector from 600 companies and create 125,000 jobs over a decade.

Deputy Minister Fox committed to following up on the contaminated lands issue in Terrebonne, Quebec, where the city was reportedly asked to pay cleanup costs. She did not provide further details during the meeting.

Assistant Deputy Minister Sheehy stated she had no notes suggesting a delay on the remotely piloted aircraft system contract, which has a $2.49 billion budget and first delivery expected in 2028. She offered to follow up if any issues arise.

Vice Chief Kelsey explained that the six operations under Operation AMARNA in the Middle East have varying objectives, including training and support in Jordan and operational support hubs in Kuwait, and that the budget has not changed despite recent events in Iran. He also acknowledged that the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre in Wainwright is not currently used for final confirmation exercises before deployment to Latvia due to equipment shortfalls, but the goal is to return to that model.

Conservative members pressed the minister on several issues. James Bezan questioned why information about a missile strike on Camp Canada in Kuwait was withheld from Canadians, and asked about hazard pay for troops in the Middle East. Jeff Kibble asked about retiring fleets like the CF-18s and Tutor jets before replacements are procured, and whether the $32 billion Arctic announcement would expand the Canadian Rangers. Cheryl Gallant raised concerns about cold-weather injuries during a CAF exercise in Alaska, attributing them partly to leadership issues, and questioned when troops would be fully trained before deploying to Latvia. Scott Anderson asked about troops in Latvia lacking communication equipment and vehicles to deploy outside Ādaži, and sought a pathway for companies to achieve trusted partner status.

Bloc Québécois member Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay asked about the remotely piloted aircraft system timeline and whether Canada aims to develop domestic drone expertise. He also inquired about the operational objectives of Middle East funding and whether the Iran conflict had changed plans, receiving confirmation that budgets remain unchanged.

Liberal members focused on practical outcomes. Viviane Lapointe asked about investments enabling joint operations with partners and northern infrastructure benefits. Philip Earle highlighted the decline at 5 Wing Goose Bay between 2007 and 2015 and asked how current investments address that. Sherry Romanado asked about the defence industrial strategy's innovation hubs and recruitment retention efforts.

A procedural debate arose over remote interpretation technical difficulties, leading to a motion to ban remote interpretation for this committee, which was agreed to.