MONTREAL, Feb 18, (V7N) - Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled a multi-billion dollar plan on Tuesday aimed at strengthening Canada’s military capabilities and reducing dependence on the United States for its defense.

In a statement marking Canada’s first-ever defense industrial strategy, Carney underscored the importance of Canada taking greater responsibility for its own security in an increasingly unstable global environment. He argued that relying too heavily on geographic advantage and external protection had left Canada vulnerable, a situation that could no longer be sustained.

“We've relied too heavily on our geography and others to protect us. This has created vulnerabilities that we can no longer afford and dependencies that we can no longer sustain,” Carney said, signaling a shift in Canada's defense posture.

The strategy, which is valued at over half a trillion dollars, aims to boost Canada’s defense capabilities with $366 billion allocated to security, economic prosperity, and sovereignty, including $180 billion in defense procurement opportunities and $290 billion in public investments in defense-related projects over the next decade.

Carney’s remarks come at a time of heightened tensions with the United States, especially under President Donald Trump’s leadership. Carney, a frequent critic of Trump, previously warned at the World Economic Forum about what he viewed as the unraveling of the rules-based global order, largely due to US policy under Trump.

The prime minister specifically took issue with remarks made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Munich Security Conference last week, where Rubio defined "Western Civilization" as being rooted in "Christian faith, culture, heritage, language, ancestry, and the sacrifices of our forefathers." Carney responded by emphasizing that Canadian nationalism is "civic nationalism," focusing on defending the rights of everyone in the country, regardless of background.

“There is a rivalry taking place between Canadian nationalism and other forms of nationalism,” Carney added, asserting that Canadian identity is built on inclusivity and diversity.

The Canadian defense plan outlined by Carney includes provisions to enhance military capacity across land, sea, and air, and reaffirms Canada’s intention to assert its sovereignty in the Arctic—an area where climate change is causing ice to thaw and making it a critical battleground for natural resources.

The launch of the strategy reflects a new era for Canada’s approach to defense, one that recognizes the evolving geopolitical landscape and Canada’s need to assert its independence amid global instability.

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