QUESTION PERIOD — National Defence
Military Procurement
September 24, 2025
My question is for the Leader of the Government. First, I would like to congratulate you on your appointment, Senator Moreau. I had the opportunity to work with you in a past professional life, and I am sure that you will do a great job.
My question follows up on something that you said in your speech yesterday about the importance of rebuilding the Canadian economy. I agree with you on that. We know that defence investments will be an important part of the government’s strategy in that regard, but we also know that project approval times pose a significant challenge in this sector.
Does the government intend to implement mechanisms to expedite the decision-making process in this sector? Will such projects fall under Bill C-5? If not, will mechanisms be put in place to expedite the decision-making process? That will be crucial going forward if we want to succeed and get things done.
Thank you for the question and for your kind words.
My understanding is that Bill C-5 indicates that there will be a list of national projects. An initial list has been released, although it is evergreen and will change over time.
With regard to progress or investments in defence, I think the Prime Minister has been extremely clear in stating his intention to fulfill our NATO obligations and make rapid and massive investments in defence, which will also reassure our colleagues across the aisle, who are asking for broader protection, particularly in Canada’s Far North.
Continuing on the subject of rebuilding the economy, as you know, in order to build infrastructure and boost production, we will need access to workers, and that means ensuring that our businesses also have access to the workers they need. Yesterday, you mentioned that the government has committed to ensuring that workers are available. Does the government currently have a strategy to ensure that businesses will have access to workers, given that the unemployment rate is very low in many regions?
The government’s strategy, which involves boosting the economy through major investments, particularly in infrastructure, will enable us to meet with workers and offer them good, well-paying jobs, stimulate the Canadian economy through massive investments in infrastructure and rebuild the country. From what I understand, directives have been given so that through —
This question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. Senator Moreau, congratulations on your position.
I also note that today is September 24, the second day of our fall sitting, and the government had set the end of summer as the deadline to release the Department of National Defence review on the planned F-35 fighter jet purchase. Yet, in a statement to Ottawa on Monday, the minister said that the review was still ongoing.
I’ll also note that despite this being a primarily U.S.-based purchase, the F-35 has at least US$2 million of Canadian industry content should that be the aircraft that is selected.
Senator Moreau, Canada’s current fleet of CF-18 Hornets sunsets in 2032, meaning that the government has to act fast to ensure that the RCAF has the tools it needs not only to defend Canada and North America but to meet challenges abroad.
When will the government release the review of the F-35 purchase and commit to purchasing the CF-18 replacement fighter fleet?
Thank you for the question. I have been informed that the government is actually continuing the review, and we will share further updates as they become available.
The government is committed to procuring what the air force needs, while ensuring economic benefits for Canadians. It’s a link with the major investment that we need for our Armed Forces. This is a very important piece of equipment, and I’m confident that the review will be made available quite rapidly.
Thank you.
It has also been reported that the government may go with a mixed-fleet approach. Given that the Canadian Armed Forces faces an existing shortage of highly skilled personnel needed to fly and maintain aircraft of all types, a mixed fleet of fighter jets would exacerbate this issue.
Will the government commit to one aircraft variant of fighter jets, as it has done for submarines?
We will see as soon as the review is tabled. I’m quite sure the government is aware of the particular situation that two different aircraft would present as far as engineering, parts and availability, not to mention pilots themselves, are concerned.
So I will be glad to share the review as soon as it is available.
