February 17, 2026
RED FM News Desk
Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday officially launched Canada’s first-ever Defence Industrial Strategy, a sweeping plan designed to reinforce national sovereignty, generate high-skilled employment, and drastically reduce reliance on foreign military suppliers. Describing the move as essential in an era of rapid global change and technological warfare, Carney emphasized that Canada must become more self-reliant. The strategy commits to an investment of over half a trillion dollars over the next decade, with the goal of creating 125,000 new jobs and ensuring Canadian firms secure 70% of all domestic defence contracts.
The comprehensive strategy is built upon five core pillars, the first of which is establishing Canada as a leader in defence production through a “Buy Canadian” policy. Under this mandate, essential equipment in sectors such as shipbuilding, aerospace, and digital technology will be manufactured domestically. In areas where Canada currently lacks capacity, the government plans to collaborate closely with trusted allies rather than relying solely on international markets.
To support this industrial shift, the government is launching the Defence Investment Agency (DIA) to eliminate “red tape” and accelerate security clearances for workers. This second pillar also includes the creation of a permanent Defence Advisory Forum to bridge the gap between government requirements and industrial capabilities. Additionally, the strategy focuses heavily on innovation, backed by a new $4-billion defence platform at the Business Development Bank of Canada, a $105-million Drone Innovation Hub, and a specialized bureau to lead advanced research and engineering.
A significant portion of the plan is dedicated to securing supply chains and developing a specialized workforce. The Canadian Defence Industry Resilience Program will begin making immediate investments, including the domestic production of nitrocellulose—a critical material for artillery. To ensure a steady pipeline of talent, the “Canada Defence Skills Agenda” will be launched to train a new generation of engineers, welders, and scientists. Furthermore, the government plans to address security gaps in the Arctic and Northern Canada by partnering with provinces and Indigenous communities to accelerate critical mineral projects.
Despite the ambitious scope, the plan has faced immediate political pushback. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre dismissed the strategy as a “salad bowl of buzzwords,” arguing that the government should focus on cutting bureaucracy and streamlining current purchasing processes rather than issuing new slogans. The road map, which was delayed for over a year before leaking to international media last weekend, comes as Canada strives to meet a bold new NATO commitment: increasing defence spending to 5% of its GDP by 2035.
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