The Ontario government has unveiled the framework for a new 10-year defence industrial strategy that it says could create 43,000 jobs and contribute $6 billion to the provincial economy by 2035.
Premier Doug Ford announced the framework Thursday at CANSEC, a defence and security tradeshow hosted by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries in Ottawa.
The Ontario Defence Industrial Strategy is aimed at expanding the province’s role in domestic and allied defence supply chains by building on Ontario’s strengths in manufacturing, research and development, critical minerals, nuclear energy, aeronautics and technology.
“As Canada and our allies respond to increasing global uncertainty by making record investments in defence and security, Ontario has the world-class workers, manufacturers and critical resources to help protect ourselves and our allies,” Ford said in a statement. “Our provincial defence strategy will position Ontario to take advantage of these record investments, contributing to global security, supporting Ontario companies and bringing tens of thousands of good-paying defence jobs to our province.”
The province said Ontario is home to more than 300 defence firms employing over 13,000 workers and generating more than $5 billion in annual revenue.
The strategy framework outlines four key pillars, including strengthening Ontario’s industrial base, expanding exports, developing future technologies and building an integrated defence supply chain.
The government said the strategy comes as Canada and allied countries increase defence spending amid rising geopolitical tensions. Ontario pointed to the federal government’s plan to invest an additional $81.8 billion over five years toward defence commitments, including meeting NATO’s target of spending five per cent of gross domestic product on defence by 2035.
Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli said the strategy would help position Ontario as a stable and reliable defence partner.
“In an increasingly uncertain world, Ontario is proud to stand as a stable, trusted and secure defence partner, ready to deliver on a generational opportunity for Canada and its allies,” Fedeli said in a statement.
The framework will now be used for consultations with municipalities, academic institutions and industry stakeholders before the province releases the full strategy later this year.
