QUESTION PERIOD — Ministry of National Defence
Defence Policy Review
November 1, 2023
Minister, welcome to the Senate of Canada.
Shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, Canadians were told there would be an urgent review of your government’s defence policy: Strong, Secure, Engaged. There was an indication that the updated policy would be released this past summer. However, we have yet to see it. In September, there was a media report that the rewrite of the new policy had been sent back to National Defence for further revisions.
Minister, why is the updating of the defence policy taking so long? What is the cause of the delay?
Thank you very much, Senator Marshall.
I would point out, senator, that I was recently appointed to this position. Although I work closely with my predecessor, Minister Anand — and I continue to work very closely with her — upon my arrival into that portfolio, I undertook a comprehensive review. I had previously seen some of the planning that had gone into the Strong, Secure, Engaged defence policy update in a different capacity — I was the chair of the security committee for cabinet. However, having gone in there, I have been working very closely with the Department of National Defence, the Treasury Board and our government in determining the right way forward. There have been some changing circumstances. There has also been extensive consultation with not just the Canadian Armed Forces, but also with industry. I have been meeting with them as well because, in many respects, the defence policy update is also industrial policy — it’s not just defence policy in my opinion — so I have been engaging with them as well.
I understand the importance of coming forward with that defence policy update. We are working on it very diligently, and I hope to have good news about that in the not-too-distant future.
On March 8 — so that was eight months ago — officials from your department told the Senate National Finance Committee, of which I am a member, that the updated policy would be released very soon. That was the term we were told. They said, “very soon.” However, we have yet to see it. The Parliamentary Budget Officer has also reported that the Trudeau government has underfunded the policy’s capital investment plan, which accompanies Strong, Secure, Engaged.
Will you commit to releasing the updated defence policy and the capital investment plan before the end of 2023?
It is my intention to complete that work and to make it public at the very earliest opportunity. I understand that the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence, Canadians and Canadian industry require the certainty and clarity that the release of that policy will provide. I am committed to doing that as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, Senator Marshall, I wouldn’t make a commitment that I can’t keep, so I can’t give you a precise date. However, I want to acknowledge to you that I understand the urgency of completing that work, and I will have it completed as quickly as possible.
