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Minister Blair and Minister Champagne conclude productive visit to Washington, D.C.

National Defence

News release

February 6, 2025 - Washington, D.C. - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence and the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, concluded a successful trip to Washington, D.C.

While in Washington, Minister Blair and Minister Champagne met with industry leaders to discuss increased strategic collaboration in defence and aerospace procurement in the defence of North America. These stakeholders have strong ties to the Canadian economy and the Ministers discussed opportunities to promote shared Canada/U.S. defence and security objectives and economic prosperity on both sides of the border.

During their visit the Ministers also met with key members of Congress. Together, they discussed the long-standing bilateral relationship between our two countries and Canada's role as a strategic military partner, highlighting the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and our investment in areas such as continental defence and Arctic security.

As outlined in Our North, Strong and Free, our vision for defence, Canada is committed to redefining how government and industry collaborate in the defence and security of our country. Canada will be investing a further $8.1 billion over the next five years on defence, and $73 billion over the next 20 years. These investments build on Canada's NORAD Modernization Plan, announced in June 2022. This plan, backed by an investment of approximately $38 billion, is Canada's largest investment in NORAD in a generation.

Quotes

"Canada's defence relationship with the United States benefits both countries and contributes to a safer and more secure continent. Strong partnerships with our allies and their defence industries positions Canada to better defend and deter emerging security threats, while at the same time growing our economy at home."

- The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence

"Canadians and Americans are safer thanks to our shared and integrated defence industrial base, which has been in place for over 80 years. Partnerships between our aerospace, space and defence firms, including our integrated supply chains, provide well-paying American and Canadian jobs while fueling innovation and economic growth."

- The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Quick facts

• Atlantic Treaty Organization, Canada and the U.S. cooperate closely on security and defence issues. Our two countries are also members of the G7 and G20, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Trade Organization.

• On April 8, 2024, the Government of Canada released Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada's Defence. This policy will see $8.1 billion CAD in new defence spending over five years and $73 billion CAD over 20 years to bolster the defence of Canada.

• These investments build on Canada's NORAD Modernization Plan, announced in June 2022. This plan, backed by an investment of approximately $38 billion, is Canada's largest investment in NORAD in a generation. NORAD is the cornerstone of Canada's contribution to the defence of North America, and the cornerstone of our defence relationship with the U.S.

• Canada and the U.S. have benefitted from a highly integrated defence industrial base, with Canadian companies serving as key suppliers on a number of major U.S. defence programs and the U.S. as a key supplier to the Canadian Armed Forces. Many of Canada's largest defence firms are also subsidiaries of major U.S. defence companies, directly employing thousands of Canadians across the country.

• In 2023, Canada's aerospace and space sectors imported $10.2 billion in aerospace products and parts from the U.S.

• Canada is a trusted mission partner to NASA and is a signatory of the Artemis Accords. Canada is contributing Canadarm3 to NASA's Lunar Gateway space station, and as a result, Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen will fly aboard Artemis II in 2026, the first flight around the Moon since 1972. Canada's partnership extends more than 40 years, as a member and contributor to the first space shuttle missions, the International Space Station, and the James Webb Telescope among others.