West Coast Momentum: McGuinty Takes Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy to British Columbia

On Canada’s Pacific coast, where shipyards hum and warships take shape against a backdrop of mountains and sea, the federal government’s new defence agenda is moving from policy to practice.

From February 18 to 20, 2026, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, concluded a visit to British Columbia aimed at advancing Canada’s newly released Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) and reinforcing the province’s central role in the country’s maritime and industrial future.

At the heart of the visit was a clear message: Canada’s defence renewal is not abstract. It is being built—in steel, systems, and skills—by Canadian workers.

Shipbuilding at Scale: Seaspan and the National Mission

On February 18, Minister McGuinty toured Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards, observing progress on major projects under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. The visit marked his first to the shipyard.

Inside the vast facilities, work continues on the Royal Canadian Navy’s Joint Support Ships and the Canadian Coast Guard’s new Polar Icebreaker—two cornerstone projects designed to enhance Canada’s maritime reach, sustainment capacity, and Arctic sovereignty.

The Minister met with company representatives, engaged directly with shipyard workers, and spoke with members of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Canadian Coast Guard detachments based at the facility. The stop provided a first-hand look at the skilled Canadian workforce translating long-term federal investment into tangible maritime capability.

The National Shipbuilding Strategy has already reshaped Canada’s marine industrial base. With the Defence Industrial Strategy now in place, that foundation is being tied explicitly to broader economic resilience and sovereign capability.

From Investment to Industrial Strategy

Later in the visit, Minister McGuinty addressed the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, where he reiterated Canada’s generational $81.8 billion investment to rebuild and modernize the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

He also highlighted the release of Security, Sovereignty, Prosperity: Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy—the Government of Canada’s roadmap for investing in defence, cementing the domestic defence industrial base, and sustaining the capabilities required to protect Canadians while supporting allies and partners.

In British Columbia, the link between defence spending and industrial capacity is not theoretical. It is visible in shipyards, supply chains, and skilled trades across the province.

As Minister McGuinty stated:

“British Columbia is at the forefront of Canada’s defence industrial strength. Through our new Defence Industrial Strategy, are making decisive, long-term investments to expand our industrial, capacitysupport skilled Canadian workers, and equip the Canadian Armed Forces with the modern capabilities they need to protect Canadians at home and contribute meaningfully abroad. This is how we strengthen our sovereignty, our economy, and our security — together.”

The message underscores a core pillar of the new DIS: aligning long-term defence investments with domestic industrial capability to support Canadian businesses, reinforce national supply chains, and enhance economic resilience.

Operational Readiness on the Pacific Coast

On February 19, the Minister shifted from industry to operations, visiting Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt—Canada’s Pacific naval hub.

There, he met with CAF members and support staff, reinforcing the government’s commitment to operational readiness, personnel well-being, and modernized defence capabilities. The visit included a tour of base facilities and time aboard the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Vancouver.

The stop at Esquimalt highlighted the full spectrum of Canada’s defence enterprise: from industrial production in Vancouver to frontline readiness on the Pacific coast.

Strengthening the Industrial Foundations of Security

Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy marks a structural shift in how the country approaches defence investment. It moves beyond procurement as a transactional exercise and positions defence spending as a long-term driver of industrial capacity, workforce development, and national resilience.

By aligning defence modernization with domestic capability, the strategy supports Canadian businesses and workers while reinforcing supply chains and positioning Canada as a trusted and capable ally.

British Columbia’s role—through shipbuilding, naval operations, and advanced industrial expertise—demonstrates how regional strengths feed directly into national security outcomes.

The Minister’s visit made one thing clear: Canada’s defence renewal is not confined to Ottawa. It is unfolding on the ground—in shipyards, on naval decks, and across industrial communities shaping the country’s maritime future.