Canada’s top soldier says East Coast has a lot to contribute to Arctic defence

Canadian Chief of Defence, Jennie Carignan speaks to Todd Battis about upcoming defence spending.

Military spending is a major focus of the federal government, and the newly-released Nova Scotia budget also addresses defence projects.

Ottawa plans to replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s current fleet of four Victoria-class submarines over the next decade with up to 12 new subs.

The plan was to sign the deal by 2028, but the multibillion-dollar contract could land as soon as this year.

It’s been a long time since Canada’s chief of the defence staff has had to oversee so much growth in defence.

Gen. Jennie Carignan says the transition to new subs is very important for the Navy.

“Going from one platform to another will imply divestment of our old platforms and then training toward the new platforms coming in, so this is a significant endeavor and this is what we are experiencing with the Army and the Air Force as well with other types of platforms,” she told CTV News Atlantic’s Todd Battis during an interview in Halifax.

“But organizing this transition is what the Navy is going to be working on as we progress throughout the procurement process.”

Last year, the Swedish manufacturer of the Gripen fighter jet, SAAB, said 10,000 manufacturing and research jobs could land in Canada if Ottawa adds the aircraft to its military fleet.

President and CEO Micael Johansson confirmed to CTV News that he talked to Ottawa about making Gripens on Canadian soil.

He said companies, including Bombardier and CAE, which are both headquartered in Montreal, as well as Nova Scotia-based IMP Aerospace and Defence, could be part of a deal.

Canada has also committed to buying 16 U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, which the NDP wants cancelled in favour of the Gripens.

Carignan won’t say if the Air Force can operate fleets of both jets.

“Right now, our posture is to wait for the decision as the review is underway, but from our perspective, once a decision is made, then we’ll start moving forward. But right now, we’re waiting for the decision,” she told Battis.

Carignan has been heavily involved in the recruiting process for new military members to operate all the new equipment.

She says there has been a “huge response” from Canadians and membership is growing.

A policy aimed at attracting highly-skilled foreign military members is also getting a boost from the federal Immigration Department.

The Canadian Armed Forces told CTV News last month applications for the regular force are up nearly 13 per cent so far in the 2025-26 fiscal year, compared to last year.

“We have increased our target to 7,600 this year, and we are already over 90 per cent achieving this with a couple of months remaining,” said Carignan.

“Our growth trends are going to be there this year as well. And we consistently keep improving our processes and this has shown great results. We are well set for growth again this year.”

While it may seem like the north will dominate attention in the coming years for the Armed Forces, Carignan said the East Coast has a lot to contribute to the region.

“With the Canadian Coast Guard base here, along with the Navy as well, so contributing to the projecting power in the Arctic via various means, one of which is Maritime, it’s incredibly important, so everybody will be contributing, it’s what we call a ‘joint fight’ in the Arctic and everyone is contributing in their own way,” she said.

With files from The Canadian Press and CTVNews.ca

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