Politics · Canada · 1 hr ago
Canada advances defence strategy as companies face testing and financing hurdles
At a defence event in Ottawa, Canadian officials and industry leaders discussed the country’s push to build up its defence sector.
Canada is working toward NATO’s goal for members to spend 5 per cent of gross domestic product on defence by 2035, while applying lessons from the war in Ukraine.
Army commander Lieutenant-General Michael Wright said Canada must prepare for threats including misinformation, drone incursions and sabotage.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said 860 businesses have used a federal initiative offering smaller firms connections, funding and advice.
But companies say testing facilities and financing remain difficult to access, and some take their products to the United States for testing.
Joly did not give a clear update on contracts awarded to Canadian firms or progress toward the goal of increasing defence exports by 50 per cent.
Canada is advancing its Defence Industrial Strategy, but industry members say testing facilities and financing remain major challenges.
At a Globe and Mail event in Ottawa, government, military and company representatives discussed rising defence spending and national security.
Lieutenant-General Michael Wright said Canada is moving urgently toward NATO’s goal of spending 5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2035.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said 860 businesses have used a federal initiative offering smaller companies connections, funding and advice.
- Who
- Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, Lieutenant-General Michael Wright and defence company executives discussed Canada’s defence strategy.
- What
- Canada is advancing its defence strategy, while companies report difficulties accessing testing facilities and financing.
- When
- Wednesday. The article was published on October 15, 2026.
- Where
- Ottawa, Canada.
- Why
- Canada is preparing for security threats and applying lessons from the war in Ukraine while pursuing NATO capability targets.
Government and military leaders
Defence industry members
Pace of change
Government and military leaders
Joly said the federal government is moving at a speed unlike anything she has seen before.
Defence industry members
Company representatives welcomed the pace but said key obstacles remain.
Testing access
Government and military leaders
The sources do not state a government position on companies’ testing concerns.
Defence industry members
Company executives said Canadian testing facilities are difficult to access or do not provide the needed electronic warfare conditions.
The National Research Council launched its Defence Industry Assist initiative to help smaller Canadian companies find connections, funding and advice.
A Globe and Mail event in Ottawa brought together government, military and industry representatives to discuss defence spending and national security.
- NATO spending goal
- 5 per cent of gross domestic product by 2035
- Defence Industry Assist users
- 860 businesses
- Submarine procurement
- Canada’s incoming fleet is expected to include up to 12 submarines
- Testing location
- Sensor Technology Ltd. takes its products to the U.S. Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Rhode Island
1 source
What people are saying
Canada must prepare for threats such as misinformation, drone incursions, sabotage and even the weaponization of migration.
the speed at which she’s seeing the federal government move is presently unlike anything she’s seen before
It’s really unfortunate
You can’t design a system that is capable of electronic warfare without it being illegal, and this is just not the operational reality on any battlefield