Victoria, British Columbia - Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Today, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, concluded a productive visit to British Columbia where he met with members of the Canadian defence industry to advance Canada's new Defence Industrial Strategy.
On February 18, the Minister visited Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards where participated in a tour to observe progress on shipbuilding projects under Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy, including the Royal Canadian Navy's (RCN) Joint Support Ships and the Canadian Coast Guard's (CCG) new Polar Icebreaker. The Minister also met with company representatives and engaged with shipyard workers as well as members of the RCN and the CCG detachments based at the facility. The visit marked the Minister's first to the shipyard and provided an opportunity to see the important work being done by skilled Canadian workers to strengthen Canada's maritime capabilities.
Minister McGunity also delivered remarks at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, where he reiterated Canada's generational investment of $81.8 billion to rebuild and modernize the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). He also highlighted the release of Security, Sovereignty, Prosperity: Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy as the Government of Canada's roadmap for how Canada will invest in defence, cement its domestic defence industrial base, and sustain the capabilities required to protect Canadians and support allies and partners.
On February 19, Minister McGuinty visited Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt where he met with CAF members and support staff to reinforce the Government of Canada's commitment to readiness, personnel well‑being, and modernized defence capabilities. During his visit, the Minister toured base facilities and went aboard the Canadian Halifax-class frigate, His Majesty's Canadian Ship Vancouver.
Through Canada's first Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), the Government of Canada is strengthening the industrial foundations that underpin domestic security and economic resilience. By aligning long-term defence investments with domestic industrial capability, the strategy supports Canadian businesses and workers, reinforces national supply chains, and positions Canada as a trusted partner to its allies.
