During a press conference in Montreal, Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada unveiled a new defence industrial strategy focused on diversifying the country’s defence procurement options beyond the United States. Carney acknowledged the existing strong partnership with the U.S. but highlighted the significant dependency, citing that approximately 75 percent of Canada’s defence capital spending currently goes towards U.S. suppliers. This dependency poses risks for Canada’s national security and economic sovereignty.

To combat this reliance, Carney's government is allocating $6.6 billion over the next five years to foster the growth of Canada’s domestic defence industries and establish partnerships with countries other than the U.S. This move is part of a broader strategy to bolster Canada’s self-sufficiency in defence capabilities while enhancing the technological capabilities of its own defence sector. By investing in local industries, the government aims to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and maintain robust defence capabilities that are essential for Canadian sovereignty.

The implications of this strategy reflect a shift in Canada’s defence policy, where the focus will be on nurturing homegrown industries and building international partnerships. This approach aims to mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on a single partner, particularly in times of geopolitical uncertainty. As global defence dynamics evolve, Canada’s commitment to bolstering its own defence sector could enhance its operational capabilities and strengthen its position on the world stage, while also providing economic benefits domestically.