New defence strategy unveils big numbers and contradictions

The Canadian military is in desperate need of all sorts of modern weapon systems, few of which are made in Canada.
To meet its objective, the Department of National Defence will need to enlist 375,000 reserve personnel at the same time the defence industry will be hiring 125,000 skilled workers, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Corporal Antoine Brochu
Opinion
BY SCOTT TAYLOR
February 23, 2026

OTTAWA—The Liberal government’s long-awaited and much-delayed Defence Industrial Strategy was finally unveiled last week. 

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