Minister LeBlanc, Secretary of State Long and Parliamentary Secretary Myles highlight investments at CFB Gagetown to support the Canadian Armed Forces and the local economy.
Canada continues to face a rapidly evolving global security environment, requiring sustained and strategic investment to strengthen national defence, protect Canadians, assert sovereignty, and support Allies and partners.
Over the last year, the Government of Canada has moved at unprecedented speed and scale to deliver on its plan to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces. As a result, Canada has delivered on a core objective of its plan - achieving the NATO 2% defence spending target this year, half a decade ahead of schedule. Beyond enhancing military readiness, Canada's historic defence investment is generating significant economic benefits - driving innovation, growing the defence industrial base, and creating long-term prosperity for Canadians.
Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy, the Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions), and David Myles, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and to the Secretary of State (Nature) highlighted over $1 billion in investments at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Gagetown to recapitalise our primary army training area, introduce new ground-based air defence systems, and ensure our soldiers train on infrastructure built to last the next century.
The investments are expected to:
- Strengthen Canada's national defence by improving training infrastructure and operational readiness at one of the country's key Army bases
- Support Canadian Armed Forces members and their families through enhanced transition services and modernized facilities
- Deliver economic benefits for New Brunswick by creating jobs, supporting local industry, and driving long-term regional growth
Meeting 2% is not an end point - it is the beginning of a sustained, whole-of-government effort to rebuild the Canadian Armed Forces, restore operational readiness, and deliver the warfighting capabilities required to deter threats, defend Canada, and contribute to the defence of North America and international security. Over the next decade, Canada will deliver half a trillion dollars in defence investment, putting the country on a clear path toward meeting the new NATO Defence Investment Pledge of 5% of GDP by 2035. This sustained investment will also generate significant economic benefits for Canadians - driving innovation, and growing our domestic defence industrial base.
The Government of Canada will advance this long term investment plan to strengthen defence and security, supporting a Defence Team that remains prepared, resilient, and reliable in an increasingly complex world.
