“I support this bill. Right now, buying military equipment takes too long because too many government departments are involved. This bill creates a single agency to handle defence purchases, cut red tape, and get our military what it needs faster.”

“Mr. Speaker, as everyone knows, we are living in a rapidly changing world. Multiple conflicts are currently unfolding across the globe. The rules-based international order we knew for decades has been turned upside down. Technological advances are fundamentally altering both the nature of the threats we face and the tools available to address them. We must develop defence capabilities to meet these new realities. There are also new challenges ahead. Consider, for example, the growing strategic importance of the Arctic and the need to find a way to safeguard our sovereignty over this vast northern territory. We must reinvest to ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces have the equipment they need, when they need it. That means reinvesting not only in modernizing and replenishing our equipment, but also in building a defence supply chain capable of meeting the needs of our armed forces in a timely manner. That is precisely why we are debating Bill C‑40 today. Since last year, we have made major investments in the Canadian Armed Forces, and we have met our NATO defence spending target of 2% of GDP. These investments are essential for protecting our country’s sovereignty. They give us the means to defend our territory, our borders and our national interests. We are also seeking to build our strategic autonomy through these investments. We want to further develop industrial capabilities and reliable supply chains right here at home so that we can meet our own defence needs and fulfill our commitments to our allies as members of NATO. This is also a measure of our credibility as a reliable international partner. In addition to meeting security needs, these defence investments are also helping us to strengthen the Canadian economy because we are enhancing Canada’s industrial capabilities. With that in mind, in February, we launched Canada’s very first defence industrial strategy, which seeks to transform our defence industries by prioritizing Canadian suppliers and materials. By investing in our defence capabilities, we want to promote our local businesses, stimulate our economy and invest in Canadian innovation and commercialization, while streamlining procurement to give businesses consistent and predictable demand. As I mentioned, we have already taken historic steps to speed up defence equipment procurement while ensuring that Canadian workers and businesses benefit in the process. However, we want to go further and, as we have said before, we can do better. To improve, we have to start by identifying weaknesses in the Canadian defence procurement system and finding ways to fix them. Specifically, I am thinking of the fragmentation between departments, because defence procurement involves multiple different government entities and ministers. This fragmentation can affect our efficiency. In addition, sometimes, procedures are too complex to meet the military’s constantly changing needs. We have also noted how slow and arduous it is for the system to adapt to the immediate needs of our armed forces. We want to cut through the red tape. We want to speed up procurement and more quickly deliver critical equipment and capabilities to the CAF and our allies. It is in this spirit that we have introduced Bill C-40 to establish the Defence Investment Agency as a Crown corporation. This agency will have a strong mandate to carry out activities related to production, procurement and investment in respect of national defence assets. What will change about this agency? It will have additional and expanded authority to move complex projects forward, and it will have the capacity and expertise to do so while developing Canada’s defence industrial base. More specifically, as a Crown corporation, this agency will be able to operate with greater authority to negotiate and manage contracts in accordance with business practices more familiar to the industry. It will eliminate fragmentation by bringing the decision-makers responsible for procurement and strategic investments together in one place. It will reduce administrative burdens and facilitate access for suppliers in order to speed up procurement. What is more, Bill C-40 proposes creating the position of associate minister of national defence for procurement to oversee this new Crown corporation. The idea is once again to centralize the activities within a single agency rather than having a fragmented system like the one we have now. The objective is to deliver better results for our armed forces. We are already hard at work. We have already announced major investments in our armed forces since the last election. We are currently in negotiations to acquire up to 12 submarines, which is the largest defence procurement in our country’s history. We are establishing a strategic partnership framework under the defence industrial strategy to expand our fleet of armoured vehicles. We announced an $11-billion investment in an icebreaker contract for the Davie shipyard, the largest shipbuilding contract in the history of the province of Quebec. My home province of New Brunswick is not being overlooked. In April, our government announced an investment of more than $1 billion for the Canadian Armed Forces base in Gagetown. This includes $871 million to recapitalize the range and training area and $172 million to establish new ground-based air defence infrastructure. These investments ensure that our soldiers train on infrastructure built to last the next century and truly adapted to today’s needs. In addition to these investments, another $20 million has been budgeted to create a modern building that centralizes transition services in order to better support CAF members and their families during the transition either back to duty or to civilian life. I want to emphasize how important this federal investment of over $1 billion is to my province, New Brunswick. This is a significant amount with economic benefits not only for the military base, but for my province as a whole. In fact, my colleague from Fredericton—Oromocto often talks to us about the importance of investing in CFB Gagetown, both to support our CAF members by providing them with adequate training facilities truly adapted to their needs, but also for the many benefits it brings to our entire province. I support my colleague from Fredericton—Oromocto’s efforts. Our defence industrial strategy also includes a component aimed at increasing Canadian innovation in the defence and dual-use sector. I am referring to funding for technology, infrastructure, research and equipment that serve both military purposes, for use by our CAF, and civilian applications. I am thinking of our investments in drones and surveillance systems. It goes without saying that there is tremendous potential in the defence sector, particularly when it comes to monitoring vast territories such as the Arctic and conducting reconnaissance missions. However, these technologies can also be used in search and rescue operations. They can be deployed during forest fires and used to map our forests. They are also useful in agriculture for mapping fields. These investments improve our drone technology, which has both military and civilian applications. The same is true of satellite technologies and the improvements we are making to access space and enhance satellite connectivity. These investments help meet the need for secure, reliable communications in remote places, of course, but there is also potential to improve cell connectivity in rural parts of the country. I am also thinking of our investments in cybersecurity, which will help strengthen the protection of our networks and improve our ability to detect threats. This is especially important at a time when artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly. Investments in cybersecurity will have tangible benefits, particularly in terms of improving the security of our public and corporate networks. I am giving all these examples to show that our defence investments will not just be used to procure military equipment. They will also benefit our businesses and communities. We are investing to meet the needs of our military, but we are also taking this opportunity to further enhance Canada’s advantage in sectors such as AI, IT and access to space. We are having this discussion on Bill C-40 as we are entering the remembrance period, and I think it is important to mention that. From October 24 to November 11, millions of Canadians wear a poppy as a visible pledge to remember those who served our country and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today. Wearing a poppy is a symbol of gratitude, thanking those who serve and their families and remembering those who lost their lives in service to our country. It is also a sign of remembrance and education, reminding future generations of the importance of knowing our history and remembering those who served our country. It is a concrete way to support our local Royal Canadian Legions. The poppy campaign raises funds to support veterans and their families, so making a donation is a concrete way to show our support. This year, Remembrance Day takes on a particular meaning following the recent loss of four members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the serious injuries sustained by several others at Wainwright.”

“The 1-billion-dollar investment in the Gagetown military base will help our armed forces and New Brunswick. This new defence agency will also stay accountable. A minister will answer questions about it, and it will have to show its finances and face audits.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to hear that the member had the opportunity to spend several years in New Brunswick. I am also pleased that he pointed out how important the announced $1-billion investment has been for infrastructure at the Gagetown military base in New Brunswick. That will make a real difference for our Canadian Armed Forces and for the province that I represent. As far as accountability is concerned, obviously a minister will be responsible for this agency. He or she will be in the House to answer opposition members’ questions and will appear in committee. A whole series of mechanisms will be put in place to ensure transparency and accountability within our parliamentary system. The Crown corporation will still be required to disclose financial information, undergo audits and table documents in Parliament. We are giving this organization more independence from an operational perspective, but we are maintaining strict accountability measures.”

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“Our ridings are partly rural. I want to know if rural areas will get funding and projects from this new defence agency, and how it will help people in my colleague's region.”

“Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Madawaska—Restigouche both have ridings that are partly rural. Some people are wondering whether rural areas will have access to the funding and projects that will come out of this agency. What does my colleague think the Defence Investment Agency would do for the people in his region?”

“Defence spending helps the economy in New Brunswick. It brings a $1-billion investment to a local military base, gives contracts to local businesses, and funds university research to make our ports safer and more efficient.”

“Mr. Speaker, first, there is the $1-billion investment in CFB Gagetown. This will have significant economic benefits for the entire province of New Brunswick. Several businesses in my riding have contracts with the Department of National Defence or with its suppliers. I have visited some of them in my capacity as a member of Parliament. I also document my region’s ability to meet the country’s defence needs and forward this information to the appropriate authorities. When it comes to the dual-use sector, there are tangible benefits for our regions. I am thinking in particular of a research project funded by our industrial strategy at the University of New Brunswick, focusing on the security of our critical infrastructure and specifically examining Port Saint John and the Port of Belledune, which is located in northern New Brunswick. The project focuses on ways to improve the security and efficiency of this critical infrastructure. This will have benefits not only for security but also for the civilian sector. There are many such examples. I could go on. This provides a variety of opportunities for our businesses involved in infrastructure, such as our ports, and for our research centres that are studying defence-related issues.”

“Under the previous Conservative government, defence spending was far below the 2% NATO target. Our government has passed that 2% goal, and we are on track to spend 5% by 2035. I want to know if the Conservatives will support our bill to speed up defence buying and create this new Crown corporation.”

“Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to the speech by our colleague from Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, who talked about procurement. Our colleague has been here for several years now. She was in the House when the Harper government was in power. At that time, defence spending was well below the 2% threshold that NATO requires of its members. In 2013, it was less than 1%. In 2014, it was 1.01%, and in 2015, it was 1.2%. Our government has exceeded the 2% target. In addition, we are on track to meet the 2035 target of spending 5% of our GDP on defence. Our colleague said earlier that it was important to speed up procurement. Will the Conservatives support measures to streamline procurement, improve preparedness and establish the Crown corporation?”

“I support this bill and our plan to spend money on military defence. This spending will help Quebec businesses win defence contracts and create good jobs.”

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by paying tribute to the members of the Canadian Armed Forces and to all veterans. We have started wearing the poppy in remembrance. Let me now turn to Bill C-40. Our government is making major investments to help Quebec businesses enter and expand within Canadian and international defence supply chains. To be clear, these investments are not about military procurement alone. They are also about jobs, innovation, economic growth and ensuring that Quebec workers and businesses are at the forefront of one of the most important industrial opportunities of our generation. In April 2026, for example, a total of $4.5 million was allocated to Aéro Montréal, Propulsion Québec and Sous-traitance industrielle Québec, or STIQ, to support small and medium-sized businesses. This is excellent news for the Lower Laurentians region. These investments will help Quebec businesses integrate into Canadian and international defence supply chains, market new technologies and become more competitive at securing contracts both domestically and abroad. With this support, STIQ will help manufacturers meet the standards required to participate in defence projects. Aéro Montréal and Propulsion Québec will help businesses in the aerospace, electric mobility and smart transportation industries, which have a strong presence in the Lower Laurentians, to access new defence markets and win contracts with Canada, allied countries and major defence contractors. These investments are part of the broader regional defence investment initiative, which is providing $64.9 million to Quebec over three years. This regional initiative prioritizes business growth and productivity projects, particularly for SMEs, to help them meet existing or future needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO or allied countries. These projects aim to increase their production and innovation capacity; improve their productivity and competitiveness; explore and expand into new markets; meet defence certification and qualification standards; support business start-up and growth, with the aim of integrating into national or international defence supply chains; and respond to calls for proposals from prime defence contractors and the Government of Canada. We want Quebec businesses to increase their production capacity. We want them to develop innovative technology. We want them to improve their productivity, meet defence certification requirements and compete successfully in global and domestic markets. Most importantly, we want workers and communities in Quebec to prosper. Projects funded by the regional defence investment initiative should support hundreds of well-paying jobs across Quebec. Thanks to our regional offices, such as Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, or CED, and Export Development Canada, or EDC, support will be available across the province to help businesses in large and small communities to take advantage of opportunities and access Canada’s growing defence-related investments. These investments are being made in a province that is already a major hub for defence and innovation. Quebec has over 8,500 jobs in the defence sector, which accounts for about one quarter of the total workforce in Canada’s defence industry. Quebec’s aerospace sector is one of the most sophisticated in the world. I am not sure whether members have heard me mention this in previous speeches, but the Lower Laurentians is home to several aerospace companies, such as L3Harris, which maintains the F-35s we were discussing earlier; Airbus; Bell Textron, a helicopter supplier; and MHI RJ Aviation Group, which is developing all sorts of new technologies to meet the needs of the future, because when it comes to defence, we no longer need the same equipment as before. The province’s advanced manufacturing sector is internationally recognized. These research institutions are making advances in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, communications, sensors, optics and highly advanced materials. As defence spending increases, both in Canada and amongst our allies, these forces place Quebec, and of course the Lower Laurentians, in a strong position to seize a growing share of these new opportunities. Businesses operating in aerospace, information technology, security, advanced transportation, critical minerals and precision manufacturing will have opportunities for growth. When it comes to transportation, I would like to point out that my riding is home to the Nova Bus electric bus assembly plant, Blainville is home to test tracks and the neighbouring riding is home to Paccar. SMEs producing drones, optical systems, simulators, surveillance technologies, electronic components and specialized manufacturing equipment are already well positioned to play a greater role in defence supply chains. In fact, the number of Quebec businesses interested in the defence sector has more than doubled over the past year. This shows both the confidence of Quebec entrepreneurs and the magnitude of the opportunities that lie ahead. We do not need to speculate on what these opportunities might bring. We can already see the results within the Quebec companies that are creating jobs, developing advanced technologies and competing in global markets. Consider a company like CAE in Montreal. As a global leader in flight simulation and training technologies, CAE has benefited from defence-related investments that strengthened Quebec’s and Canada’s global leadership in simulation and training technologies. As an aside, my son is a commercial pilot, and he teaches courses on CAE simulators in Saint-Hubert. I wish my son all the best as he pursues his career as a commercial pilot. These investments support research, exports and highly skilled jobs. Our task now is to build on this success and create the conditions for more Canadian companies to grow, innovate and remain competitive. This is precisely the goal of our government’s new defence industrial strategy, under which we have committed $6.6 billion over five years to strengthen Canada’s defence industrial base. We are investing and improving supply chains, accelerating innovation, and improving access to capital for Canadian businesses. Through its first-ever defence industrial strategy, the government is strengthening the industrial foundations underpinning Canada’s security and economic resilience. By combining long-term investments in both defence and industrial capabilities, the strategy supports businesses and Canadian workers, improves our supply chains and makes Canada a trusted partner to its allies. We are making historic investments in Canada’s defence ecosystem to transform our armed forces. We are creating good, well-paying jobs for Canadians across the country and, most importantly, we are supplying the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment it needs to protect Canada’s security and sovereignty. The defence industrial strategy acknowledges a simple fact: Canadians should benefit from major defence investments. For that reason, our government is prioritizing Canadian suppliers, Canadian materials and Canadian innovation. This is also why we created the Defence Investment Agency: to modernize procedures, speed up projects and help Canadian businesses participate more actively in defence procurement opportunities. What does this mean for Quebec? For Quebec, these investments mean more procurement contracts. They mean opportunities for SMEs and growth in the aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors. They mean investments in research and innovation. I am not going to take up any more of the House’s time, although I could go on at length about the many positive aspects of all this. Our objective is to help workers, businesses and communities in Quebec and across Canada. I am ready to take my colleagues’ questions.”

“Past governments spent very little on defence. We committed to spending 2% of our gross domestic product, and we want to reach 5% by 2035. We also used to buy 70% of our military equipment from the United States. We want to flip that and make 70% of it here in Canada using our own businesses.”

“Mr. Speaker, I want to go back to what was done in the past. When the Harper government was in power, investment was below 2%. In 2013, it did not even reach 1%. In 2014, it was 1.1%. We committed to reaching 2%, which we have already done. In addition, by 2035, we will reach a target of 5% of our gross domestic product. I assume my colleague is aware of this, but in the past, 70% of defence equipment came from the United States. Now, we want to invert that pattern. We want Canada to produce 70% of the equipment. We want to use our own supply chains and our own industries to manufacture it. If my colleague had truly listened to my answer, he would have realized that it was a good idea to look elsewhere when it came to aircraft procurement.”

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