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

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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 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.

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.

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 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.

NATO's race against time: Senior commander warns alliance must adapt faster to deter Russia

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-19 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Industry, Technology]

NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation French Admiral Pierre Vandier warned during a visit to Ottawa that the Western military alliance's greatest vulnerability in deterring Russia is the slow speed of its defence procurement and a lack of manufacturing depth, rather than a shortage of raw weapons. Commenting alongside Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan, Vandier noted that Russia has adapted its military tactics and drone technology under fire during the conflict in Ukraine, while Western procurement institutions still take years to acquire software and hardware. The warning arrives as Canada's federal government pursues an unprecedented expansion of defence spending and industrial base modernization to meet broader NATO responsibilities.

In Canada's drone-killing 'Sandbox,' companies compete for a $1M prize

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-17 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Alberta, Defence, Technology, Industry]

The Department of National Defence hosted its fourth Counter-Uncrewed Aircraft Sandbox competition at the Suffield Research Centre in Alberta, offering a $1 million prize to spur domestic defence technology innovation. Two dozen companies from Canada, Australia, Finland, and the United States showcased detection and interception technologies, including laser-guided missiles developed by Calgary-based North Vector Dynamics and portable kinetic missiles by St. John's-based StrobelTEK. The initiative forms part of the federal government's Defence Drone Initiative to jump-start sovereign manufacturing capabilities in marine, underwater, ground, and aerial drone systems.

Countering drones is ‘critical’ as warfare evolves, Canada’s military says

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-08 20:21:11.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Public Safety, Technology]

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces are moving to procure anti-drone defenses to protect military installations on Canadian soil against unauthorized unmanned aerial systems. This initiative, communicated by spokesperson Laura McIntyre-Grills, builds upon operational lessons learned from international deployments like NATO's mission in Latvia and the widespread combat use of drones in Ukraine. The procurement efforts align with a broader multi-year research and acquisition framework called the Drone Defence Initiative, which aims to accelerate drone capabilities for both the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard.

Canada’s military seeking anti-drone defences for bases, facilities

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-09-29 21:21:43.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Public Safety, Technology]

The Department of National Defence has issued a procurement notice seeking anti-drone defence systems to protect personnel, equipment, and military facilities across Canada from uncrewed aerial vehicle threats. This follows prior investments by the Canadian Armed Forces in counter-drone systems for overseas deployments under Operation Reassurance in Latvia and the July 2026 launch of the Defence Drone Initiative aimed at scaling domestic uncrewed system manufacturing and interception technologies.

Carney tells NYT he studied risk of U.S.-led military action in Canada

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-24 02:45:05.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Defence, Technology]

Prime Minister Mark Carney disclosed in a New York Times interview that his government studied the extreme tail risk of U.S.-led military action against Canada amidst escalating bilateral tensions. The ongoing trade war, triggered by the breakdown of bilateral negotiations in mid-August, has led U.S. President Donald Trump to impose 50 percent duties on $28 billion in Canadian goods, prompt retaliatory Canadian tariffs, and sign orders restricting Canadian products from U.S. government procurement. In response to the geopolitical strain, Prime Minister Carney's government is reviewing its full fleet procurement of American F-35 fighter jets and evaluating alternatives to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service.

Canada, France pledge to work together on space infrastructure, economy

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-20 14:40:36.0
Tags: [National, Newfoundland and Labrador, Trade, Infrastructure, Technology, Defence, Economy]

Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to pledge bilateral cooperation on shared space infrastructure, business growth, and economic development, directing their respective space agencies and defence ministries to develop common launch systems and ground reception facilities. The leaders also tasked the regional joint cooperation commission between Atlantic Canada and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to expand work in economic growth, energy transition, and climate resilience. Furthermore, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce are finalizing an agreement to build shared value chains and deepen business ties amid broader Canadian efforts to forge a closer economic and political alliance with the European Union.

Canada won't pay directly into EU budget under Carney's plan: ambassador-designate

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-19 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Defence, Technology, Finance, Governance]

Incoming EU Ambassador-Designate Jonathan Wilkinson announced that Canada will not pay directly into the European Union budget under Prime Minister Mark Carney's proposed "unique alliance." However, Canada may contribute funding to specific strategic programs, such as the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence loan program, Horizon research initiatives, and Erasmus+ student exchanges. Carney formally outlined his vision for the partnership before the European Parliament, aiming for seamless digital trade, critical mineral investments, and AI safety protocols, while facing skepticism from some European politicians and tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Read a transcript of Carney’s speech to the European Parliament

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-09-17 18:21:30.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Industry, Technology, Defence]

Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the European Parliament to pitch a deeper strategic and economic partnership between Canada and the European Union, focusing on cooperation in artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and defence. Highlighting existing agreements like CETA and the Strategic Partnership Agreement, Carney responded favorably to an invitation from EU leadership for Canada to become the EU's first associate member. He proposed bolstering collective resilience through seamless digital trade, joint access to frontier research programs such as Horizon and Erasmus Plus, and secure supply chains spanning over 34 critical minerals and clean energy technologies.

Read Mark Carney's full speech to the European Parliament

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-17 18:04:15.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Defence, Energy, Technology]

Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered an address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, welcoming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's proposal for Canada to become the European Union's first associate member under a new "alliance for the future." Carney proposed deepening bilateral cooperation across strategic sectors including critical minerals—leveraging Canada's deposits of over 34 critical minerals—alongside energy security via liquefied natural gas and hydrogen supply, defense industrial capacity, artificial intelligence computing, and financial services integration. The proposed alliance aims to enhance collective resilience and sovereignty against geopolitical coercion without establishing a closed great-power rival bloc.

PM Carney: ‘Europe and Canada are even stronger together’

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-09-17 09:48:46.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Defence, Technology, Governance]

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen formally invited Prime Minister Mark Carney to open discussions for Canada to become the European Union's first "associate member" following a series of bilateral talks that accelerated in June 2025. Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Prime Minister Carney emphasized that the partnership aims to bolster economic and security resilience in sectors like artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and defence rather than forming a rival geopolitical bloc. Concurrently, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the potential designation as a "hostile act" and signed a memorandum directing federal agencies to remove Canadian products from U.S. government procurement while threatening heavy tariffs on Europe.

How Canada-EU ‘associate member’ proposal raises questions with few answers

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-09-16 20:25:22.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Defence, Technology, Governance]

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Canada become the European Union's first "associate member," moving beyond the existing Canada-European Trade Agreement (CETA) to establish an "Alliance for the Future." Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to respond to the proposal, which aims to deepen cooperation in areas including intelligent manufacturing, tech alliances, defense industrial bases, the Arctic, energy, critical minerals, AI, and cyber security. The proposal has raised domestic political questions and concerns from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre regarding potential impacts on Canadian sovereignty, tax contributions, EU regulations, and immigration policies. Meanwhile, Canadian Ambassador to the EU Jonathan Wilkinson emphasized that Canada is not seeking full EU membership due to sovereignty implications, and recent Abacus Data polling indicates that 80 percent of Canadians support closer economic, defence, and political ties with Europe.

EU wants Canada as its first ‘associate member,’ von der Leyen says

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-09-16 12:34:20.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Technology, Defence, Governance]

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during her State of the Union address that the European Union seeks to make Canada its first associate member through an 'Alliance for the Future,' moving beyond the existing Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The proposed partnership aims to deepen integration across intelligent manufacturing, tech alliances, defense industrial bases, Arctic projects, energy, critical minerals, batteries, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, cyber security, and economic security. Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the address in France as the two sides discuss forging a unique alliance amid escalating United States trade actions and tariffs. While European Union member states have increased trade by 75 per cent in less than a decade under CETA—though 10 member states have yet to fully ratify the agreement—German government officials noted that the specific terminology of an 'associate member' requires further consideration.

What we know about the proposed partnership between Canada and the EU

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-14 20:24:05.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Technology, Defence, Governance]

Prime Minister Mark Carney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a new strategic partnership during speeches in Strasbourg, France, exploring the possibility of Canada becoming the European Union's first associate member. The proposed alliance aims to enhance cooperation in critical minerals, defence industrial capacity, artificial intelligence, energy security, and financial services, while including Canadian participation in education and research programs like Erasmus+ and Horizon. Concrete details and the structural framework of the partnership are expected to be discussed at the upcoming Canada-EU summit scheduled for October 29-30, 2026, in Montreal, with any final agreement subject to debate and ratification by the Parliament of Canada and EU member states.