March 9, 2026
RED FM News Desk
Industry Minister Melanie Joly has announced a sweeping federal investment of over $900 million aimed at bolstering Canada’s domestic defense industry and technological innovation. Flanked by National Defence Minister David McGuinty and Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr, Joly outlined the funding as a cornerstone of Canada’s new defense industrial strategy designed to meet evolving global security challenges.
A primary component of this investment includes more than $500 million dedicated to the acquisition of a Canadian-built Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft. This platform will serve as a specialized hub for developing advanced defense-related technologies. Additionally, the government will establish new Drone Innovation Hubs in Ottawa and Montreal to position Canada as a world leader in unmanned aerial systems and aerospace engineering.
The strategy also prioritizes future-tech and national resilience, earmarking $161 million over the next five years for the development of quantum technology. Furthermore, a specialized “Biomedical Countermeasures” initiative will be launched to develop domestic vaccines and therapeutics, ensuring Canada is not reliant on foreign nations during future health or security crises. The government also pledged support for Canadian firms creating “dual-use” technologies—tools that serve both civilian and military functions.
Beyond national security, the initiative is expected to be a major economic driver. The federal government aims to create 125,000 new jobs over the next decade and intends to double Canada’s defense exports through this strategy. Minister Joly emphasized that these steps are vital for building a resilient defense economy and fulfilling Canada’s commitment to spend 2 per cent of its GDP on defense for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
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