Feds’ new industrial strategy falls short on ambition, needs clearer objectives for defence procurement, say experts
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly unveiled a new three-pillar industrial strategy on Oct. 9 aimed at protecting Canadian industries, creating jobs, and attracting global investment. ‘I don’t think there’s anything new here,’ says former DND ADM Alan Williams.
Skill development must be Canada’s national project
The Carney government is set on the rapid delivery of national projects, but these initiatives will only succeed if matched by equally ambitious investments in skills development and workforce readiness.
For drones, do like the Nordics and the Brits
Their countries offer both markets and lessons for Canadian defence procurement, and their companies produce advanced drone and counter-drones systems that could be incorporated into our arsenal.
Industry Canada’s annual plan projects $3.9-billion boost to budget by 2027-28
The largest increase is tied to what the department categorized as ‘companies, investment, and growth’ with the budget growing from $3.2-billion in 2024-25 to nearly $7.7-billion by 2027-28.
Canada, Europe, and NATO: a renewed commitment to shared security
Whether it is supporting Ukraine, reinforcing NATO’s northern flank, or building the tools to defend sovereignty in the Arctic, Canada is showing it will lead by example.
The return of the wildcat strike?
Recent experiences demonstrate that strategic resistance, rooted in mobilizing co-workers and communities—rather than relying on lawyers, union staff, or political parties—can achieve results in the face of restrictive legislation.
Any new industrial strategy must be an innovation strategy
Canada’s capacity for technological progress and scaling the industries of the future will be critical for our future growth prospects and much-needed gains in productivity.
Look to C.D. Howe for lessons on defence procurement
The Second World War-era cabinet minister created a crown corporation tasked with building everything from ammunition to warships. They got them built. Period.
Calls mount for the Arctic to make national-interest list with launch of Major Projects Office: there’s an ‘Achilles heel in the North’
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs’ Heidi Cook says the Carney government backing Manitoba’s Port of Churchill as a national-interest project was a ‘surprise to a lot’ of First Nations in the area.
Carney was talking about Canada’s productivity problem in 2010. It’s now his job to fix it.
The challenge for the Carney government is to map a way out of this slow growth trap, which is why productivity, fueled by innovation and investment, is the key to a better future.
