Minister LeBlanc, Secretary of State Long and Parliamentary Secretary Myles highlight investments at CFB Gagetown to support the Canadian Armed Forces and the local economy
OROMOCTO, NB, April 1, 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, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy, the Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions), and David Myles, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and to the Secretary of State (Nature) highlighted over $1 billion in investments at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Gagetown to recapitalise our primary army training area, introduce new ground-based air defence systems, and ensure our soldiers train on infrastructure built to last the next century.
The investments are expected to:
- Strengthen Canada’s national defence by improving training infrastructure and operational readiness at one of the country’s key Army bases
- Support Canadian Armed Forces members and their families through enhanced transition services and modernized facilities
- Deliver economic benefits for New Brunswick by creating jobs, supporting local industry, and driving long-term regional growth
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, and growing our domestic defence industrial base.
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
“Through investments at CFB Gagetown, we are strengthening Canada’s defence capabilities while delivering real benefits for New Brunswick. These initiatives support our Canadian Armed Forces members, enhance training and readiness, and contribute to a strong and resilient local economy.”
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy
“This investment at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown strengthens the operational readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces and delivers real, lasting benefits for our members, their families, and the wider community. By modernizing critical infrastructure and advancing world-class training capabilities, we are ensuring our forces are ready to defend Canada and stand with our allies in an increasingly complex security environment. At the same time, we are supporting Canadian industry and creating good jobs. This is how Canada is stepping up, meeting our NATO commitments and building a stronger, more secure future for Canadians.”
The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
“Meeting Canada’s defence commitments requires us to move faster, work differently, and grow our industrial base here at home. Through the Defence Investment Agency, we are accelerating defence procurement to deliver the capabilities the Canadian Armed Forces need–when they need them. Our generational investments in bases like CFB Gagetown will move forward under a modernized procurement process that strengthens Canada’s security, supports good jobs, and ensures long–term value for Canadians.”
The Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement)
“The CFB Gagetown Range and Training Area is crucial to defence operations in New Brunswick and all of Canada. These new upgrades will ensure that our soldiers are training on infrastructure that is built to sustain military operations for years to come. These are important investments in Atlantic Canada which will see upgraded transition centres with new funding to support soldiers both during their service and as they transition back to civilian life.”
The Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
“I’m thrilled to see this historic investment in 5CDSB Gagetown. It will be transformative for our troops, our community, our region, and our country. These are generational investments in our CAF that will ensure they have the equipment and facilities they need to operate in an ever-evolving defence landscape. In our region, this will bring good jobs, dynamic industries, and a growing defence sector that will continue to lead on a national scale.”
David Myles, MP Fredericton-Oromocto, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and to the Secretary of State (Nature) (Parliamentary Secretary)
Quick Facts
- Investments at CFB Gagetown include the recapitalization of the Range and Training Area ($871 million), and the establishment of new ground-based air defence infrastructure ($172 million).
- Also included is a $20.2 million investment to create a modern 1,537 m² building, centralising transition services to better support CAF members and their families during their transition either back to duty or to civilian life. Construction has been underway since June 2024 with completion expected in March 2026.
- 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.
Associated Links
- 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
SOURCE National Defence
