QUESTION PERIOD — National Defence
Military Procurement
March 11, 2026
Senator Moreau, the Ottawa Citizen and the National Post report that the Department of National Defence has awarded an $8.8-million contract to Colt Canada to repair faulty C19 rifles that the same company sold to the Canadian Armed Forces.
Since 2018, these rifles have reportedly been plagued with defective stocks and bolt actions that cannot withstand operational conditions, particularly in the Canadian North. After taxpayers have already spent more than $30 million to purchase them, Canadians are now being asked to pay again to fix them because the faulty parts were only covered by a negotiated one-year warranty.
Senator Moreau, as your government prepares to spend billions on defence procurement, is this the kind of responsible stewardship Canadian taxpayers can expect from the government?
Thank you, Senator MacDonald, for reminding Canadians that we are spending unprecedented amounts to ensure the Canadian Armed Forces are well equipped.
I don’t have a specific answer to the news report you mentioned. I will certainly inquire to see whether something can be brought to this chamber in order to properly answer your question.
That being said, the government is committed to ensuring the Canadian Armed Forces are well equipped and have the equipment they deserve. It’s a question of sovereignty. It’s a question of national security. The government is taking this question seriously.
It’s not just a matter of spending money; it’s printing money.
Senator Moreau, although this contract was awarded in December, Canadians only learned about it because of an access-to-information request filed by the Ottawa Citizen. No public announcement was made. Canadians deserve transparency on how their tax dollars are managed. Why did the government keep this contract hidden from the Canadian public?
We’re not supposed to give intention here to the other house. I find your question misleading. You don’t think the Canadian government is purposely misleading Canadians.
As I mentioned, I’m not aware of that report. I’ll obtain the information and get back to you.
