Sophie Chatel

Madam Speaker, Procedure · 11 wordsI will be sharing my time with the member for Labrador.¹Procedure Anecdote · 18 wordsThis is my first opportunity to speak in the House since the tragedy at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, ²AnecdoteOff pointThanks · 50 wordsso I want to begin by offering my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who tragically died in this tragedy. My thoughts are also with those who were injured, their families and the entire community as they grieve and support one another through this difficult time.Thanks Claims · 45 wordsI rise today to give my full support to Bill C-30, which will transform the way Canada procures military equipment, invests in defence and, above all, builds its domestic defence industry. The Defence Investment Agency was created in October 2025 to speed up military procurement, ³Reasoning · 10 wordsbut transforming it into a Crown corporation could reduce bureaucracy. Procedure · 7 wordsI will come back to this later, ProcedureClaims · 17 wordsbut companies seeking defence contracts face significant challenges. The government has invested billions of dollars in defence, ⁴Positioning · 25 wordsand that is very good. We want to meet NATO’s targets, but we also need to ensure that these investments benefit Canadian businesses and workers.Positioning Claims · 9 wordsThe agency was originally established to modernize defence procurement. Positioning · 14 wordsThat was a very good first step, but it did not go far enough.Positioning Claims · 27 wordsBill C-40 will finally give the agency the authority and independence it needs to accelerate the contract awarding process, reduce red tape and better coordinate government efforts.⁵ Reasoning · 14 wordsThis is very important for accelerating and facilitating SMEs’ access to the defence market. Positioning · 15 wordsThis is a very practical response to the concerns that businesses have shared with us.Positioning Claims · 17 wordsIt is also a way to quickly turn our defence investments into quality jobs for Canadians, innovation, Vague promisePositioning · 11 wordsand economic spinoffs at a time when we really need them.Positioning Claims · 50 wordsI want to focus specifically on the aerospace industry in Quebec and Canada, especially because Quebec’s aerospace industry is a major asset. This summer, I had the pleasure of organizing a round table that brought together both large corporations and SMEs from Quebec’s aerospace and defence industry. Bombardier was there, Positioning · 7 wordsbut so were many other innovative SMEs.Positioning Procedure · 31 wordsIn Quebec, we have outstanding expertise, world-class businesses and a network of specialized companies that contribute to our ability to innovate in Canada and around the world in the aerospace industry.Procedure Claims · 34 wordsDuring this round table with businesses, one very clear message emerged. One of the biggest obstacles to their growth and ability to secure contracts is the slow, bureaucratic pace of the defence procurement process. Reasoning · 34 wordsTheir representatives explained to me that the historic investments we have announced for the defence sector are not automatically translating into jobs and economic spinoffs, because it takes so long to get contracts signed. Procedure · 16 wordsThese contracts are essential if businesses are to invest, hire staff and engage with other suppliers.Procedure Reasoning · 2 wordsFor example, Claims · 49 wordsif Bombardier wins a defence contract, the entire chain of SMEs in Quebec and Canada stands to benefit as a result. The participants also pointed out that SMEs often struggle to access defence tenders, even if the government has already awarded them contracts and their technology is well known. Positioning · 13 wordsIn short, it takes a very long time for contracts to be awarded.Positioning Reasoning · 28 wordsNot only do we need to invest in defence, but we also need to ensure that our investments translate quickly into contracts, innovation and well-paying jobs for Canadians. Procedure · 11 wordsTransforming the Defence Investment Agency is very important for doing that.Procedure Claims · 7 wordsNot only are we streamlining the processes, Promise · 18 wordsbut another very aspect is that we are bringing together expertise within the agency to speed up procurement. Positioning · 25 wordsIf we do the right thing with this bill, we will finally be able to respond directly to the main concern expressed by the industry.Positioning Claims · 10 wordsOur aim is not just to spend more on defence, Positioning · 18 wordsbut to transform these investments into strong, lasting Canadian industrial capabilities that benefit our businesses and our workers, PositioningClaims · 101 wordswhile ensuring the sovereignty of our amazing country. The agency’s core mandate is to combine and build on existing defence procurement expertise within government through a single organization focused on a very specific objective. Rather than duplicate the use of resources, it pools operational knowledge and expertise on procurement contracts in one place. As I said, one of the concerns that was mentioned during the round table was that companies have to explain their expertise or technology to one agency and then turn around and explain it again to another, even after receiving approval. They often have to repeat things twice. Positioning · 9 wordsNow, everything will come together in a single agency.Positioning Claims · 15 wordsThe agency’s transformation reflects our government’s commitment to build a strong, secure and sovereign Canada. Reasoning · 24 wordsWith more autonomy and stronger contractual authority, the agency will finally be able to ease its administrative burden and improve its efficiency and speed, Claims · 54 wordsbecause these investments are needed now. This will strengthen our country’s ability to defend itself while providing more accountability. In February 2026, the unveiling of the first-ever defence industrial strategy marked a key step in modernizing our procurement system.⁶ The strategy already called for a whole-of-government approach aimed at strengthening our defence industrial base. Promise · 24 wordsWe are now seeing the results of this strategy, since we have finally met the NATO defence spending target of 2% of our GDP.⁷ Reasoning · 18 wordsWe have also reaffirmed our commitment to meeting the NATO target of investing 5% of GDP by 2035.⁸ Positioning · 12 wordsThe agency will obviously play a key role in meeting those targets.Positioning Claims · 6 wordsWe are at a hinge moment. Reasoning · 15 wordsGlobal uncertainty, supply chain disruptions and evolving security challenges have made one thing very clear: Claims · 21 wordsProtecting Canadians and safeguarding our sovereignty, our economy and our military capability is what will give us industrial and military strength. Procedure · 18 wordsOur investments in defence are also a powerful driver of growth for our economy and our innovative sectors.Procedure Claims · 50 wordsLet us consider just a few examples. Drone technology was developed for defence, but it can also be used in agriculture. Military aerospace innovations benefit the entire aerospace industry. The same is true for shipbuilding and satellites. There is a great company in the Outaouais region, Telesat, that builds satellites.⁹ Reasoning · 6 wordsThat also benefits AI and cybersecurity. Claims · 23 wordsAll of these examples show that by working with an effective agency, we will be able to build a strong and sovereign Canada.