Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning Canada's national defence, cybersecurity, border security, weapons systems, military commitments, and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-05-11
End Date: 2025-05-19

Top Headlines

Main Stories

HMCS William Hall Deploys from Halifax for Enhanced Counter-Narcotics Operations in Caribbean

On May 14, 2025, HMCS William Hall departed Halifax to participate in Operation CARIBBE, supporting U.S.-led counter-narcotic initiatives in the Caribbean under the Joint Interagency Task Force South. The mission aims to detect and interdict illicit drug trafficking, with Canadian Armed Forces contributing naval and air assets. This deployment builds on the recent success of HMCS Harry DeWolf, which assisted in a significant narcotics seizure alongside the United States Coast Guard and Colombian partners in March.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Commits Over $40 Million to United Nations Peacekeeping and Related Operations

Following the 2025 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting in Berlin, Global Affairs Canada announced over $40 million in new projects. Commitments include tactical airlift support to UN missions until 2027, support for specialized training, capacity building in the Indo-Pacific, and efforts to counter misinformation affecting operations. Other funding will support trauma and advanced medical training for peacekeepers, capacity building at training institutions in Senegal and Indonesia, and e-learning through the Peace Operations Training Institute. Canada’s contributions also advance targeted initiatives in C4ISR and research partnerships.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Announces Strengthened Support to UN Peace Operations

On May 16, Minister Anita Anand (Foreign Affairs), Minister David McGuinty (National Defence), and Minister Gary Anandasangaree (Public Safety) confirmed that Canada will provide renewed tactical airlift, specialized training, and capacity building support for UN operations, focusing on operational reform and the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. The announcement follows the Berlin ministerial, and reiterates commitments to protection of civilians, safety of peacekeepers, and modernization of multilateral approaches to peace and security challenges.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canadian Coast Guard Conducts Arctic Marine Response Station Training in Parry Sound

Between May 14 and 28, 2025, the Canadian Coast Guard's Arctic Marine Response Station is running search and rescue training in Parry Sound, Ontario, utilizing Fast Rescue Craft and helicopters. The Rankin Inlet-based AMRS, staffed by two rotating Indigenous crews, is the first Canadian Coast Guard Arctic search and rescue facility, operating from late June to early November. The program is a component of the Ocean’s Protection Plan and is intended to bolster marine emergency preparedness during open-water months.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Survey: Marine Vessel Operators Report $10.9 Billion in Revenue for 2023

Statistics Canada reports that in 2023, 870 marine vessel owners and operators in Canada generated approximately $10.9 billion in operational revenue.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Weekly Aircraft Movements Data for Late April into Early May 2025 Released

Weekly itinerant aircraft movement figures for April 26 to May 2, 2025, are now available from Statistics Canada.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

CAF Officer and NCM Education Data Updated

The open data set covering highest completed education levels for Canadian Armed Forces officers (excluding cadets) and non-commissioned members has been updated to reflect annual reporting by the Chief of Military Personnel.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca

Provincial Announcements

Nova Scotia Expands Critical Minerals Strategy, Including Sectors Vital to Defence

Nova Scotia updated its critical minerals strategy on May 14, adding four minerals—including uranium and high-purity silica, key in defence and energy applications—and creating a strategic minerals list. The province will now permit exploration and research in areas with known uranium deposits.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

James Bezan (MP) commented on perceived defence leadership priorities and linked them to a reported 10,000 troop shortage and budgetary issues.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Alex Ruff (MP) referenced federal directives for National Defence to achieve over $800 million in savings, with higher targets set for subsequent years.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Jean-Denis Garon (MP) noted Bell Textron's milestone delivery, highlighting the aerospace sector’s ongoing activity in Quebec.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

David J. McGuinty (MP) expressed appreciation for his appointment as Minister of National Defence.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Patrick Weiler (MP) posted about visiting Celerity Craft to see their dynamic air cushion amphibious vessel.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Mark Carney shared details of his meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on building Canada-U.S. defence and security links.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Tony Loffreda referenced an Auditor General report highlighting the RCMP’s limited capacity to combat cyber threats and outlined concerns aired at a Senate finance committee meeting.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Marilou McPhedran shared her attendance at a concert by the Royal Netherlands Air Forces Orchestra, commemorating 80 years since Canadian soldiers participated in the Netherlands' liberation.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Leo Housakos posted about recent government pledges involving increased defence and security spending.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Red Cat Expands Maritime Domain Capabilities with Battle-Tested Unmanned Surface Vessels: Red Cat builds out its unmanned maritime platform portfolio.
• LMT, NOC, GD: Saudi Arabia to Spend $142 Billion on U.S. Defense Equipment: Saudi Arabia undertakes major U.S. defence equipment procurement.