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Our Statement on the Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy
Canadian businesses are ready to put their expertise, innovation and capital to work to help build the military strength and industrial base that will protect Canada’s sovereignty.
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The government’s Defence Industrial Strategy shows it has listened to industry expertise and bet big on Canada. This scale of new funding is unprecedented, but the true measure of success will be how these dollars translate into real operational readiness, modernized equipment and a stronger Canadian Armed Forces. The government’s focus on sourcing military equipment from firms that invest in, employ and reside in Canada will reinforce domestic capacity while ensuring that public investments generate economic growth and skilled jobs across the country.
We also commend the government for recognizing that Canada’s resource sector can supply our allies with 10 of the 12 defence-critical raw minerals that were identified by NATO. By leveraging our abundant natural resources, Canada can help secure supply chains for ourselves and our allies, reduce strategic vulnerabilities and position our country as a reliable partner in an increasingly uncertain world. The Strategy also rightly identifies 10 key sovereign capabilities, many of which dovetail with recommendations by the Canadian Chamber’s Councils including AI, Cyber Security, Critical Minerals, and Life Sciences.
Canadian businesses hold the expertise in world-class advanced technology, cyber security, AI and quantum to deliver this strategy in real terms. To do this, the government must address long-standing issues plaguing our defence procurement system — from contracting times that cause project delays to security clearance challenges — as well as provide a clear sense of the required technology or goods to help more companies participate or bid. Canadian businesses, including Canadian Chamber members across regions and sectors, are ready to put their expertise, innovation and capital to work to help build the military strength and industrial base that will protect Canada’s sovereignty. We look forward to working with the government on the delivery of this strategy.
- David Pierce, Vice President of Government Relations, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce — The Future of Business Success
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is Canada’s largest and most activated business network — representing over 400 chambers of commerce and boards of trade and more than 200,000 business of all sizes, from all sectors of the economy and from every part of the country — working to create the conditions for our collective success. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the undisputed champion and catalyst for the future of business success. From working with government on economy-friendly policy to providing services that inform commerce and enable trade, we give each of our members more of what they need to succeed: insight into markets, competitors and trends, influence over the decisions and policies that drive business success, and impact on business and economic performance.
Media Contact
Shane Mackenzie
Vice President, Media and Stakeholder Communications
613.302.7683
smackenzie@chamber.ca
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