Canada’s $500bn defence pivot bets on jobs, sovereignty and allies

Canada has unveiled a sweeping “Buy Canadian” defence strategy worth over $500 billion in procurement and investment, promising 125,000 high-paying jobs and a surge in domestic military tech.

Ottawa says the plan will cut reliance on U.S. suppliers while turning Canada into a key NATO and EU defence-industry partner.

But as billions flow into a new procurement agency and local-content rules tighten, critics warn costs, delays and politics could reshape the gamble’s outcome.