Reaching NATO's 2% target is driving investment, bolstering military readiness and creating economic opportunities across Alberta and the Prairie Region

EDMONTON, AB, April 2, 2026 /CNW/ - Canada continues to face a rapidly evolving global security environment, requiring sustained and strategic investment to strengthen national defence, protect Canadians, assert sovereignty, and support Allies and partners.

Over the last year, the Government of Canada has moved at unprecedented speed and scale to deliver on its plan to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces. As a result, Canada has delivered on a core objective of its plan – achieving the NATO 2% defence spending target this year, half a decade ahead of schedule. Beyond enhancing military readiness, Canada's historic defence investment is generating significant economic benefits — driving innovation, growing the defence industrial base, and creating long-term prosperity for Canadians.

Today at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, reinforced the Government of Canada's commitment to defence investments that are generating economic activity while strengthening the foundations of long-term defence capabilities.

Meeting 2% is not an end point – it is the beginning of a sustained, whole-of-government effort to rebuild the Canadian Armed Forces, restore operational readiness, and deliver the warfighting capabilities required to deter threats, defend Canada, and contribute to the defence of North America and international security. Over the next decade, Canada will deliver half a trillion dollars in defence investment, putting the country on a clear path toward meeting the new NATO Defence Investment Pledge of 5% of GDP by 2035. This sustained investment will also generate significant economic benefits for Canadians — driving innovation, growing the domestic defence industrial base.

Through Prairies Economic Development Canada's Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII), the Government of Canada is investing $379.2 million towards a three-year national initiative to help accelerate the integration of businesses, focusing on small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and regional ecosystems, into defence supply chains and strengthen their industrial innovation capacity in support of Canada's defence and security needs. In Alberta, these investments will build downstream economic benefits on top of the over 12,000 jobs and $1.15 billion in investment already directly supported by the presence of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces in the province.

The Government of Canada will advance this long‑term investment plan to strengthen defence and security, supporting a Defence Team that remains prepared, resilient, and reliable in an increasingly complex world.

Quotes

"As Canada rebuilds, rearms, and reinvests in the Canadian Armed Forces to support our women and men in uniform and keep Canadian safe, we are also creating new opportunities for workers and businesses across the country. By investing in domestic defence industrial capacity through the Regional Defence Investment Initiative, Canada's new government is helping ensure that provinces like Alberta can build on its strengths, contribute to Canada's defence capacity, and share in the economic benefits of this work."
–The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada

"This investment gives the Canadian Armed Forces the modern capabilities they need to operate effectively in today's complex security environment. It strengthens readiness, supports our people and their families, and drives economic growth through Canadian industry. It's a clear signal that Canada stands ready to defend our nation and contribute meaningfully to NATO."
–The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence

Quick Facts

• Approximately $63 billion in 2025–26 was spent on defence across the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian Coast Guard, and other government departments. These investments deliver tangible progress across personnel, infrastructure, equipment, and operational priorities.
• Increasing investments in core military capabilities, building up Canadian industry, and dual-use investments are putting Canada on a pathway to meet the new North Atlantic Treaty Organization Defence Investment Pledge to invest five percent of gross domestic product by 2035.
• The Canadian defence industry contributes nearly $10 billion to the gross domestic product and supports over 81,000 jobs.
• The RDII is a three-year national program delivered by Canada's seven Regional Development Agencies that aligns with the Defence Industrial Strategy, advancing Canada's ability to rebuild, rearm, and reinvest in its military while strengthening supply chains, readiness, and international partnerships.
• PrairiesCan continues to accept RDII applications from eligible businesses and organizations operating across the Prairie provinces.

Associated Links

• Prairies Economic Development Canada
• Canada's new government is rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces
• Canada joins new NATO Defence Investment Pledge
• Prime Minister Carney launches new Defence Investment Agency to rebuild, rearm, and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces faster
• Prime Minister Carney launches Canada's first Defence Industrial Strategy to strengthen security, create prosperity, and reinforce strategic autonomy

Related Links

• Budget 2025: Canada Strong
• Prime Minister Carney announces Canada has achieved the NATO 2% defence spending target

Stay connected

Follow PrairiesCan on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X

Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-9378
TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388

SOURCE Prairies Economic Development Canada