Coast guard joins Defence team in a shift for Canada’s security

The Canadian Coast Guard has integrated into the National Defence team.

The Canadian Coast Guard is officially joining the Canadian Defence Team, a move federal officials say will strengthen Maritime security and reinforce Canada’s sovereignty, particularly in the Arctic.

The announcement marks a major change in how Canada protects its waters. While the Coast Guard will remain a civilian agency, it will now work more closely with the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces.

Defence Minister David McGuinty said the integration comes at a crucial time, as global tensions rise and foreign activity increases in the North.

“It’s very crucial. The world is changing,” said McGuinty. “There are countries that don’t believe Canada has sovereign waters, especially in the Arctic. Bringing the Coast Guard into the Defence family strengthens our response and enhances our intelligence gathering.”

The move will allow the Coast Guard to legally share information gathered at sea for national security purposes, not just for safety. Officials say the change will help improve intelligence coordination, maritime surveillance and joint operations with allies, including the United States and NATO partners.

“We’ve worked with the Navy and Armed Forces for decades, now it’s becoming seamless,” said Coast Guard commissioner Mario Pelletier. “We bring expertise in icebreaking and safety, and we’ll gain from their knowledge in security and communication.”

The Coast Guard, which employs about 6,000 members, will continue its core missions, including search and rescue, icebreaking, and environmental response but with an expanded role in national security coordination.

Pelletier said the transition has been smooth so far, and that Coast Guard members are excited about the new opportunities it brings.

“We’re expanding training at our academy and looking at new technology on board our ships,” he said. “It’s exciting for younger generations who want to work with the latest systems and make a difference on the water.”

The federal government has also introduced Bill C-2, which would expand the Coast Guard’s mandate to include additional maritime security activities. Officials say the integration reflects Ottawa’s commitment to strengthening cooperation across departments and ensuring a stronger, more coordinated presence at sea.

McGuinty said the Coast Guard’s expertise will be essential as Canada continues to invest in new icebreakers and vessels, and as the Arctic becomes a growing focus for national defence.

“We’re connecting more directly with our U.S. and NATO partners,” he said. “The Coast Guard will play an integral role in how Canada monitors and protects its waters.”

The inclusion of the Coast Guard in the Defence Team marks what officials are calling a “historic” step toward modernizing Canada’s approach to maritime security, ensuring that those who have long watched over the waters can now help defend them, too.