The provincial government says there are opportunities for this province in light of Ottawa’s renewed emphasis on Canada’s defence and security.
Prime Minister Mark Carney yesterday announced that Canada has reached its two per cent of GDP NATO spending commitment. He says Ottawa is committing to half a trillion dollars in spending on defence over the next decade.
That’s good news for Newfoundland and Labrador says Lin Paddock, who advises the premier on the province’s defence capability.
“We have significant capabilities here, industrial capabilities, we’re (strategically) geo-politically positioned, from Goose Bay, Gander, and even St. John’s in regards to base location.”
He says all that, combined with what is currently happening in the world, “demands that Newfoundland and Labrador play a greater role.”
Paddock, who had a 30-year military career, retired as a Commander in the Royal Canadian Navy.
He says Newfoundland and Labrador has a number of companies developing and using world-class technology that can be used to help expand Canada’s military capability.
“We have significant dual-use technologies. Technologies that were developed principally for the offshore oil and gas industry, that can be leveraged by navies across the world, including our own in Canada, to support mission execution.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney in Halifax (CPAC)
Former Defence Minister Bill Blare previously indicated that Canada would not be able to meet NATO’s 2 per cent of GDP defence spending obligation, yet Ottawa announced yesterday that that it has already met that target.
Prime Minister Mark Carney was asked what changed.
Carney told reporters in Halifax yesterday that they ran for office “recognizing (that) the world has changed, recognizing the importance of securing Canada, defending Canada, fulfilling our commitments starting with our commitment to the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces…so we’re great believers…you set your priorities, you focus on them, you follow through.”
