Canada needs a ‘good mix’ of new tech like drones, AI: NATO commander

This article is new today!

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-30 18:50:51.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Technology, Finance]

As Canada prepares to detail its defence spending plans in the upcoming federal budget to meet NATO's 2% GDP target this year and a 5% GDP target by 2035, senior NATO officials emphasize integrating a mix of advanced technologies like AI targeting and drones. Admiral Pierre Vandier, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, noted during exercises in Latvia involving Canadian Armed Forces personnel from Operation Reassurance that unmanned systems enhance the lethality and survivability of traditional military assets. The Department of National Defence recently launched the Defence Drone Initiative (DDI) to supply new drone tech to the Canadian Armed Forces and Canadian Coast Guard while bolstering domestic manufacturing. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Budget Office analysis indicates core defence spending would need to scale significantly from $95.7 billion in 2030 to $163.7 billion in 2035–36 to meet long-term alliance commitments.

Canada, EU lay out vision for closer ties in ‘dangerous and divided’ world

This article is new today!

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-30 17:50:16.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Governance, Defence, Education]

Prime Minister Mark Carney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed a strategic alliance agreement in Montreal to establish Canada as the European Union's first associate member amid rising international trade tensions. The agreement establishes collaborative frameworks for digital money transfers, labour and research mobility including potential participation in the Erasmus+ education program, critical raw minerals development, outer space cooperation, and joint security support including the Ukraine Support Loan. The pact also sets out cooperative efforts regarding artificial intelligence, climate change solutions, and cross-border instant payment systems.

Carney points to EU's strong belief in democracy as political winds shift for 2 largest members

This article is new today!

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-30 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Governance, Defence]

Prime Minister Mark Carney hosted European Union leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during the 21st Canada-EU summit in Montreal to advance negotiations on making Canada the bloc's first associate member. The bilateral talks aim to forge a strategic "alliance for the future" to counter protectionist U.S. trade pressures under President Donald Trump and address volatile political shifts in key European nations such as France and Germany. A forthcoming joint statement from the two-day summit outlines mutual commitments to reinforce predictable trade environments, collaborate on critical mineral supply chains, counter cyberattacks, maintain support for Ukraine, and initiate negotiations for deeper Canadian participation in the Erasmus student exchange program.

Ottawa's sluggish bureaucracy leaves critical gaps in Canadian military ammo supply: AG

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 21:57:13.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Public Safety, Governance, Industry]

A federal audit by Auditor General Karen Hogan revealed that Canada's strategic military ammunition stockpile has critical gaps and fails to support war readiness or NATO commitments, citing sluggish restocking by Public Services and Procurement Canada and poor inventory management by the Department of National Defence. Despite a previously announced $9.2-billion federal funding pledge over 13 years and a March $1.4-billion framework scaling up domestic production—including $305 million to IMT Precision in Ingersoll, Ontario, and nearly $1 billion to General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems in Quebec—resolving the shortfalls will take several years. The audit noted that regular-use ammunition contracts took an average of nearly 19 months from signature to final delivery, while equipment unreliability and limited training further reduced operational utilization.

Canada faces ‘critical gaps’ on military combat ammunition: AG warns

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 20:25:34.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Public Safety]

In a report released by Auditor General Karen Hogan, Canada was warned of critical gaps in the Canadian Armed Forces' military combat ammunition supply, leaving the nation behind on NATO collective defence commitments. The audit revealed that a flawed inventory management system, dysfunctional data analysis, and inefficient contracting via Public Services and Procurement Canada have hindered readiness, with two out of four strategic source agreements under the Munitions Supply Program having expired over three years ago. Although the federal government previously dedicated $9.2 billion over 13 years in 2024 for strategic stockpile replenishment, the current contract-awarding pace remains insufficient. Defence Minister David McGuinty stated that he agrees with the auditor general's six recommendations and is actively working to implement corrective actions.

Canada's new national security strategy will shield economy, modernize military

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 15:59:34.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Economy, Trade, Public Safety, Governance]

The federal government, under Prime Minister Mark Carney, has released a new national security strategy designed to protect the Canadian economy and modernize military capabilities amid global instability. The framework outlines a multibillion-dollar expansion plan that allocates more than $163 billion toward the military by the mid-2030s, alongside pending legislation to create a dedicated Crown corporation for defence procurement. While the strategy emphasizes trade diversification and a clear-eyed approach to relations with the United States, a final decision regarding the establishment of a separate foreign intelligence agency akin to the U.S. CIA or Britain's MI6 is currently being deferred by senior officials. Completely redrawn defence and foreign policies are scheduled to be released in the coming months, accompanied by a comprehensive review of national security legislation within a year.

Canada's new national security strategy will shield economy, modernize military

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 15:59:34.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Economy, Trade, Public Safety, Governance]

The federal government released a sweeping national security strategy committing over $163 billion toward military expansion and defence industrial base rebuilding through the middle of the next decade. The framework emphasizes protecting economic sovereignty across sectors such as critical minerals, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence, while managing a clear-eyed relationship with the United States and deferring immediate decisions on establishing a standalone foreign intelligence agency. The strategy also includes plans to review existing national security legislation within a year to modernize intelligence capabilities against emerging geopolitical threats.

Canada's new relationship with EU will be 'closer to membership' than ever, senior officials say

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-27 16:46:42.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Governance, Defence]

Prime Minister Mark Carney is pursuing a historic associate membership with the European Union, which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen formally announced to establish Canada as the bloc's first associate member. The proposed strategic alliance aims to deepen co-operation in trade, security, and technology amid escalating U.S. tariffs and trade tensions under U.S. President Donald Trump. Formal discussions and negotiations are set to launch at a two-day bilateral summit in Montreal involving Prime Minister Mark Carney and EU officials, with an official framework expected to develop ahead of the subsequent 2027 summit.

U.K. opts against joining Canada-led defence bank, pledges co-operation

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-26 14:03:56.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Finance, Trade]

The British government has declined Ottawa's invitation to join the Canada-led international Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB), choosing instead to pursue its own Multilateral Defence Mechanism. Despite differing institutional paths, both countries agreed to establish a cooperation framework to coordinate investment opportunities and work together to meet NATO spending targets. The DSRB, which is headquartered in Canada and aims to lower military borrowing costs through pooled credit, currently retains the support of nations including Belgium, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Canada receives first F-35 jets from U.S., as full order remains under review

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-26 13:54:58.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Trade, Technology]

The Royal Canadian Air Force has accepted delivery of its first two Lockheed Martin CF-35A Lightning II fighter jets at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona. Prime Minister Mark Carney has paused the broader planned acquisition of 88 stealth fighter jets amid a federal review prompted by U.S. President Donald Trump's trade and annexation threats. The ongoing defense review is considering potential alternatives, including a mixed fleet incorporating Saab Gripen jets, as questions persist regarding American control over F-35 software and capabilities.

Canada receives first F-35 jets from U.S. as full order still under review

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-25 21:03:29.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Trade, Governance]

Canada has received its first two F-35 stealth fighter jets manufactured by Lockheed Martin at a facility in Phoenix, though Prime Minister Mark Carney has paused the planned full procurement of 88 aircraft amid an ongoing review. The defense review was launched in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's trade and annexation threats, leaving Ottawa to consider a mixed fleet that could potentially include Saab Gripen jets. Concerns have been raised regarding U.S. control over the sensitive software operating the F-35 jets.

Carney’s Turkish defence tango: A dance of dollars, drones and overcoming distrust

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-25 20:01:24.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Defence, Industry, Technology]

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new strategic trade and defence partnership between Canada and Turkey during a visit to Istanbul and Ankara, aiming to reduce Canadian procurement reliance on the United States. The agreement follows the 2024 lifting of a de facto Canadian arms embargo—which had been imposed after Wescam camera equipment meant for NATO operations in Syria was illicitly diverted to Azerbaijan—and establishes that future military exports will undergo strict case-by-case permit reviews. Turkish officials and private companies, including drone manufacturer Baykar, have also expressed interest in making direct investments in Canada's aerospace and defence manufacturing sectors.

Canada needs concrete results from EU summit this week, former envoy says

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-25 17:58:19.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Defence, Technology, Governance]

Ahead of the Canada-European Union summit in Montreal, former special envoy to the EU Stéphane Dion emphasized the necessity of achieving concrete results across trade, science, defence, security, and artificial intelligence, rather than issuing a routine status communiqué. Prime Minister Mark Carney and European leaders are negotiating a new alliance that includes potential participation in the European Erasmus+ mobility program and resolving the ratification status of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which currently remains unratified in nine EU member states including France, Italy, and Poland. Additionally, incoming Canadian Ambassador to the European Union Jonathan Wilkinson and bilateral officials are advancing negotiations on a digital trade agreement to govern e-commerce, electronic transmissions, and secure cross-border data flows.

Carney says 'direct casualties' are result of Ukraine's restricted access to Musk's Starshield

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-23 19:16:05.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Technology, Governance]

Prime Minister Mark Carney publicly criticized restrictions placed on Ukraine's access to Elon Musk's military-grade satellite network, Starshield, stating that the limitations have resulted in direct civilian casualties and compromised Ukraine's defence capabilities. Speaking from Istanbul, Carney highlighted Canada's vulnerability to foreign-controlled single-provider infrastructure and emphasized the necessity of diversifying sovereign defence and communications partnerships. The restrictions, which U.S. and Ukrainian officials indicate originated from the White House or SpaceX operations, have limited Ukraine's ability to track incoming Russian missiles and jet-powered drones traveling faster than 160 kilometres per hour.

National security strategy to address array of threats coming soon: Carney adviser

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-23 17:14:26.0
Tags: [National, Public Safety, Defence, Governance, Economy]

David Morrison, senior diplomatic and international affairs adviser to Prime Minister Mark Carney, announced to the House of Commons public safety and national security committee that Canada is poised to release its first comprehensive national security strategy in over two decades. The upcoming strategy, last updated in 2004 under Prime Minister Paul Martin as Securing an Open Society, aims to address a wide array of modern threats with an increased focus on economic security. According to Privy Council Office spokesperson Mélany Gauvin, the policy document is expected to be made public within a few weeks, following directives initially issued by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to deliver a renewed strategy.

Carney defends doing business with countries that don’t share Canada’s values

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-23 10:43:04.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Defence, Energy, Economy]

Prime Minister Mark Carney concluded a visit to Turkey by signing a new strategic trade and defence partnership with President Recep Erdogan, despite criticisms regarding human rights abuses and the suppression of political opposition in Turkey. The bilateral discussions included potential contracts for Canadian engineering firm AtkinsRealis to supply nuclear technology for two planned power plants aimed at helping Turkey reach its climate goals. Additionally, Prime Minister Carney pushed back against allegations of Canadian interference in upcoming U.S. midterm elections after the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released an official fact sheet accusing Canadian leaders of meddling.

C-28 (45-1) - Canadian Space Launch Act

Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-23 09:34:19.0
Tags: [National, Technology, Defence, Transportation, Governance]

Bill C-28, titled the Canadian Space Launch Act, was introduced in the House of Commons by Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, aiming to amend the Aeronautics Act and other Acts to establish sovereign space launch capabilities in Canada. The legislation underwent debate at second reading on October 23, 2026, following its initial introduction and first reading on April 21, 2026. The bill is part of a broader federal push complementing a $200 million investment by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to position the Nova Scotia spaceport as a cornerstone of national defence and commercial launch capabilities.

Carney walks a trade, defence and diplomatic tightrope in Turkey

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 11:44:34.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Defence, Governance]

Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting Ankara, Turkey, for a historic two-day bilateral visit with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to strengthen trade and defence co-operation. The diplomatic mission represents a deliberate federal strategy by the Carney government to diversify Canadian trade and military partnerships beyond the United States, despite domestic and international criticism regarding Turkey's human rights record and crackdown on civil society groups.

Carney announces trade and defence partnership with Turkey

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 11:44:34.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Defence, Energy, Economy]

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a new strategic partnership between Canada and Turkey focused on four pillars: trade and investment, defence and security, energy, and people-to-people ties. Negotiators are scheduled to begin free trade talks in Ankara next month, alongside discussions regarding a defence industry cooperation agreement and potential nuclear energy sector investments involving Canada's Candu nuclear team. The bilateral initiative also includes plans to finalize an air transport agreement to increase passenger flights between the two countries, despite human rights concerns raised by advocacy groups regarding Turkey's crackdown on civil society.

Carney appoints astronaut Jeremy Hansen to advise government on new space strategy

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-21 22:01:14.0
Tags: [National, Technology, Infrastructure, Defence, Trade, Governance]

Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed Artemis II astronaut Jeremy Hansen as a special adviser on space strategy to counsel the Prime Minister and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly on national sovereignty, security, and global contributions. The appointment coincides with Canada shifting its space partnerships toward the European Space Agency and away from American private firm SpaceX, drawing commentary from U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra. Additionally, Defence Minister David McGuinty announced a $20-million agreement for a space launch complex in southern Newfoundland to ensure independent and reliable orbital access during geopolitical tensions.