The world is becoming more challenging and divided, and the assumptions that shaped decades of Canadian defence and security are being upended. The threats Canada faces are numerous and growing, ranging from incursions into our Arctic waters to attacks targeting our cyberspace. In this context, Canada is strengthening its sovereign capabilities in critical sectors, and deepening cooperation with trusted partners, to safeguard our security and resilience.
In March 2026, NATO confirmed that Canada achieved its 2 per cent of GDP defence expenditure target-half a decade ahead of the previous government's schedule, and for the first time since the fall of the Berlin Wall. In 2025-26, Canada spent more than $63 billion on its defence, marking the single largest year-on-year increase in defence investment in generations as part of an ambitious plan to rebuild, rearm, and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, visited 17 Wing Winnipeg. He was joined by Ginette Lavack, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, and Member of Parliament for St. Boniface-St. Vital, the Honourable Terry Duguid, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, and Doug Eyolfson, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg West. Minister Champagne took the opportunity to highlight key defence investments and initiatives from the Spring Economic Update 2026:
- It proposes to provide $103.8 million over five years, starting in 2026-27, and $22.3 million ongoing to establish and operate the Defence Investment Agency (DIA) as a stand-alone entity. The DIA is at the centre of the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), the whole-of-government approach which was launched in February to transform Canada's defence industry.
- It announces the government's intention to introduce enabling legislation to establish the DIA as a stand-alone entity and legislative amendments to provide the DIA with expanded authorities.
- Additionally, it proposes to provide $2.0 billion over three years on a cash basis, starting in 2026-27, to support Operation UNIFIER, which was launched in 2014 following Russia's first invasion of Ukraine, and has enabled the CAF to train over 47,000 members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, covering a range of basic and advanced military skills, including tactical medical training, combat engineering, and leadership skills and education.
The Minister also underscored how Team Canada Strong, which will invest roughly $6 billion to recruit, train, and hire 80,000-100,000 Red Seal trades workers nationwide, will help expand the pool of trades essential to the CAF and the defence sector-such as welders, machinists, electricians, and heavy‑equipment technicians. This includes creating new pathways to skilled trades through the Primary Reserves and the Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers programs.
This visit provided the Minister with an opportunity to meet members of the Canadian Armed Forces who play a vital role in safeguarding Canada's safety and sovereignty, while strengthening Canada's position as a trusted ally. He reiterated Canada's commitment to working with the Last Post Fund to ensure that the National Field of Honour in Pointe-Claire, Québec, remains a dignified and respectful resting place for Veterans and their families and to preserve Canada's proud military legacy for generations to come.
