Canada’s newly appointed Defence Minister David McGuinty has pledged to rebuild the Canadian Armed Forces, modernize procurement and increase investment in the country’s defense industry. The longtime Ottawa South member of Parliament was appointed last week as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet, taking over from Bill Blair amid pressure to strengthen Canada’s military posture and tensions with the United States.
In his first official address to the Department of National Defence, McGuinty acknowledged that Canada is living in an “increasingly dangerous and divided world,” making it imperative to protect national sovereignty and defend against foreign interference, especially in the Arctic. He noted that protecting northern regions must be done in close collaboration with Arctic and Northern Indigenous communities.
Mission-Ready Military
The minister plans to build a “modern, agile and mission-ready military” that reflects Canadian values and is prepared to counter evolving threats. “We will rebuild our defence capacity, rearm the Canadian Armed Forces and invest in our defence industry,” he said, noting that the investment will create jobs and establish Canada as a leader in emerging military tech.
McGuinty pledged to overhaul the defense procurement process to remove unnecessary delays and prioritize local industry. This echoes Prime Minister Carney’s earlier commitment to reform the acquisition system and reduce dependence on U.S.-built equipment in response to anticipated American tariffs.
“Most importantly, we will put people first,” the defense chief added, saying he is committed to providing service members better equipment, training, compensation and military experience.
NATO Commitments
McGuinty also touched on reinforcing the government’s target to exceed NATO’s two percent spending benchmark before 2030, building on a promise made earlier this year by his predecessor, Bill Blair, who said Canada could meet the target as early as 2027.
He concluded by thanking Blair for his service and expressing his eagerness to work with Deputy Minister Stefanie Beck, Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan and the broader department. He said that together they will “ensure Canada’s military remains a force for peace, stability and security in a rapidly changing world.”