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.

Want to track GR news in industries related to Defence? Don’t miss this week’s updates in ICT & Cybersecurity.

Dates: 2025-11-02 to 2025-11-08

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial Government News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal Government News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal Government News

Keel Laid for Canadian Coast Guard Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (CCGS Sermilik)

On November 6 in Halifax, the Canadian Coast Guard marked the keel-laying of the CCGS Sermilik at Irving Shipbuilding Inc., a significant event in the National Shipbuilding Strategy. The vessel is designed for versatility in fisheries enforcement, surveillance on Canada’s east coast, and support for international patrols, including those of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization. The Sermilik will be equipped for scientific research and humanitarian missions, with onboard science equipment and a medical facility. It will also support environmental response, navigation aid maintenance, search and rescue, and icebreaking in Arctic and southern waters.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Signs Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with the Philippines

On November 2 in Manila, Canada and the Philippines signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, deepening defence ties and enabling closer operational cooperation between both nations’ armed forces. This builds on a 2024 Defence Cooperation MOU and will allow Canadian and Philippine military personnel to participate in joint and multinational operations and exercises in each other’s territories. The Philippines is among Canada’s key Indo-Pacific partners, with the agreement reinforcing ongoing military and security cooperation in the region.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Budget Investments in Defence Infrastructure, Procurement, and Training

Minister David McGuinty is scheduled on November 8 to present in Orléans regarding recent federal budget allocations for local infrastructure, indicating ongoing investments in facilities and procurement that have implications for the defence sector supply chain, construction, and military readiness. Associated briefings are being offered to media on site.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CBSA Conviction on Prohibited Firearms Importation

On October 22, Stéphane McCullough was sentenced to 48 months following an investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) into importation and manufacturing of prohibited weapons. This case, which included seizures of tasers, stun guns, ammunition, 3D printers, and cocaine, is part of a larger CBSA enforcement effort in Quebec, where 24 investigations have resulted in 18 cases prosecuted and 12 convictions since January 2024. The region's Weapons Smuggling Integrated Enforcement Team continues to coordinate on illegal weapons and firearms trafficking.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Supplementary Estimates (B), 2025–26 and Increased Defence Funding

On November 7, Treasury Board tabled Supplementary Estimates (B) for FY 2025–26, seeking $10.8 billion in additional spending across 76 organizations. National Defence is requesting $1.1 billion, directed to investments in Canadian Armed Forces infrastructure, equipment, and training. This brings the in-year planned voted and statutory expenditures to $506.7 billion. Expenditure approval is to be sought through a supply bill before December 10.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Veterans’ Week and Indigenous Veterans Day: Official Federal Statements

Remembrance Week commenced with statements from Ministers Jill McKnight (Veterans Affairs) and David McGuinty (National Defence), recognizing military veterans for both international and domestic operations. On Indigenous Veterans Day, a joint statement honoured First Nations, Inuit, and Métis members’ historic and continuing contributions, referencing individuals like Lance Corporal John Shiwak and Chastity Koosees. The campaign is accompanied by federal recognition of diversity and veteran support programming.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca

Federal Budget 2025 Discussed with Atlantic Chamber on Trade, Clean Tech, and Defence

Minister Sean Fraser will address the Halifax Chamber of Commerce in a scheduled discussion on November 10 regarding Budget 2025. Topics include trade, clean energy, defence, and broader strategies for economic competitiveness affecting the Atlantic region’s industrial base.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Aircraft Movement Statistics: October 18–24, 2025

Weekly data on itinerant aircraft movements for October 18–24 are available through Statistics Canada, contributing operational insights relevant to defence aerospace and supply chain planning.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian Provincial Government News

Ontario Launches Fast-Track Career Initiatives for Veterans

Ontario announced $575,000 in funding to help Canadian Armed Forces members convert military experience into postsecondary credits for civilian careers, with projects rolled out at six colleges and universities and new tools for course credit recognition.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

US Federal Government News

U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing Marine Mammal Rule Finalized

NMFS has issued new seven-year regulations governing the incidental take of marine mammals during U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet training and testing. The rule prescribes requirements for sonar, explosives, vessel movement, and monitoring and mitigation measures for specified activities across 2.6 million square nautical miles, including Gulf of Mexico and the western Atlantic.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

U.S. Lifts Defense Trade Embargo with Cambodia

The U.S. Department of State amended the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to lift the defense trade embargo against Cambodia, effective November 7. Transfers of defense articles and services to Cambodia will now be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, following the country’s progress in defense cooperation and combating transnational crime.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FAA Information Collection on Drone Operations, Renewed and Expanded

The FAA is seeking comment on its plan to streamline and combine authorizations and waivers for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operations under Part 107 and controlled airspace provisions. The information collection intends to determine operator qualifications and mission parameters, with anticipated processing of nearly three million UAS authorization requests between 2025–2028.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Message on Critical Infrastructure: AI, Defence, and Supply Chains

The President issued a message on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month, noting commitments to modernize infrastructure with a focus on artificial intelligence, national security, and industrial base resilience. Over $400 billion in investment is directed towards infrastructure compatible with national defence and technological competitiveness.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Continuation of U.S. National Emergency on Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation

The national emergency regarding proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, originally declared in 1994, is continued for another year. The order maintains sanctions authority and regulatory controls relevant to counterproliferation and security policy.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Government Consultations

Canadian Marine Advisory Council – Fall 2025 Consultations Open

Transport Canada has opened meetings of the Canadian Marine Advisory Council, providing stakeholders an opportunity to contribute to marine safety and security regulatory discussions from November 4–6.

Sources: tc.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Federal budget earmarks $6.6-billion to grow defence industry with focus on emerging tech: Ottawa signals new funding streams for defence industry modernization and advanced technologies.
• A Canadian-made Swedish fighter jet may kick-start a domestic defence aerospace industry. But at what cost?: Opinion explores prospects and trade-offs in fighter jet partnerships.
• Budget touts $81.8B defence investment as a sovereignty 'blueprint' but offers only rough fiscal sketches: Background on new federal investments and questions on long-term military planning.
• Politics Insider: Budget set to boost defence, trim public service: Media analysis of budget impacts on defence and government workforce.
• Ottawa earmarks billions of dollars for defence as global spending race ramps up: Review of Canada’s rising defence commitments amid international competition.
• Canada bolsters Indo-Pacific presence with new defence pact with the Philippines: Update on new security agreements expanding Canada’s regional ties.
• Bombardier opens door to defence mergers as nations boost spending: Feature on industry realignment prospects in Canadian and global defence markets.
• A new system to identify and take down Russian drones is being deployed to NATO’s eastern flank: Developments in electronic warfare and anti-drone technology on NATO’s perimeter.
• Ottawa plans to spend big on defence. But is there a long-term vision for Canada’s military?: Analysis on questions about enduring Canadian military strategy and procurement.
• Former defence minister says boosting national defence spending 'absolutely right thing to do': Interview with former minister on current government’s spending trajectory.

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