This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning Canada's national defence, cybersecurity, weapons systems, military commitments, and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-01-26 to 2026-02-01

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• National Defence Committee reviews Bill C-11, National Defence Act amendment: On February 2 at 11:00 a.m., the National Defence Committee will conduct clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-11 to amend the National Defence Act and other Acts. Department of National Defence officials, including Col Geneviève Lortie and LCol Matt MacMillan, are scheduled as witnesses.
• Foreign Affairs Committee studies export controls under Bill C-15: On February 3 at 3:30 p.m., the Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee will review clauses 460 to 462 (Division 27) in Bill C-15—the budget implementation bill—covering sanctions and strategic export controls, with witness testimony from Minister Anita Anand and senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
• Public Accounts Committee considers Auditor General Report on fighter jet capability: February 2 at 11:00 a.m., the Public Accounts Committee will hold in-camera deliberations on the Auditor General's report regarding Canada's future fighter jet capability, as well as the National Trade Corridors Fund.
• Public Safety Committee conducts clause-by-clause review of Bill C-8, Cyber Security Act: The Public Safety and National Security Committee meets February 3 at 3:30 p.m. to conduct clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-8, amending the Telecommunications Act and related statutes for cyber security. Witnesses from the National Cyber Security Directorate are confirmed.
• Senate Transport and Communications Committee reviews Bill C-15 transport and UAV provisions: On February 4 at 6:45 p.m., the Senate Transport and Communications Committee will examine Divisions 1, 2, 24, 28, and 29 of Part 5 of Bill C-15, including transport and UAV-related clauses. Witnesses include officials from the National Airlines Council of Canada, Air Transport Association of Canada, and Canadian UAV Association.

Federal Government News

Minister McGuinty signs Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement with Japan

On January 27, Minister of National Defence David J. McGuinty completed the signing of a new Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement with Japanese Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. The ETTA establishes a framework for Canadian and Japanese companies to cooperate on defence projects involving equipment, technology, and intellectual property. This move allows Japan to export defence equipment and technology to Canada and opens collaboration for joint development and supply chain integration. Discussions between officials also included increasing military collaboration between the Canadian Armed Forces and Japanese Self Defense Forces and facilitating industrial cooperation. The agreement will enable deeper business ties and provide Canadian industry with new avenues for project procurement and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Secretary of State Fuhr advances defence relationships in South Korea

Secretary of State (Defence Procurement) Stephen Fuhr began an official visit to the Republic of Korea on January 29, targeting strengthened defence relationships and advancing industry partnerships. Meetings with officials such as Minister of National Defence Ahn Gyu-back, the Defence Acquisition Program Administration, and the Chief of Naval Operations focused on industrial cooperation and integrating supply chains between Canadian and South Korean firms. Fuhr also attended site visits with defence companies in South Korea to explore opportunities for Canadian industry participation in advanced technology and procurement. The visit showcased Canada's commitment to leveraging innovative defence technologies and fostering international industrial partnerships aligned with its Indo-Pacific strategy, as well as promoting the procurement reform initiatives of Canada’s new Defence Investment Agency.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Cyber Centre issues Ransomware Threat Outlook for 2025 to 2027

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, under CSE, released its Ransomware Threat Outlook 2025-2027 on January 28. The assessment details how ransomware threats in Canada continue to increase in frequency and sophistication, with threat actors adopting new tactics such as AI, cryptocurrency, and enhanced extortion methods. The report notes that all organizations, including those within the defence and aerospace sectors, face significant risk. The document also outlines current statistics on attack prevalence, trends expected over the next two years, and key guidance on organizational preparedness against ransomware campaigns. Rapid development of AI technologies has contributed to reduced attack costs and higher rates of evasion for cybercriminals. The centre continues development of resources supporting Canadian organizations and critical infrastructure.

Sources: www.canada.ca

HMCS Yellowknife commences seven-week deployment for Operation CARIBBE

On January 29, HMCS Yellowknife began a seven-week deployment under Operation CARIBBE, Canada’s role in multinational drug interdiction efforts in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. The mission involves maritime interdiction operations and boarding of suspect vessels, cooperating closely with partner surface assets and patrol aircraft. Activity under Operation CARIBBE supports regional security and counters illicit trafficking, with interoperability exercised alongside the United States Coast Guard and other regional forces. The operation is separate from other U.S. military efforts in the region and focused predominantly on law enforcement objectives related to narcotics. This deployment demonstrates continued Canadian participation in joint operations targeting organized criminal activities at sea.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CBSA reviews key border security and enforcement statistics for 2025

Marking International Customs Day on January 26, the Canada Border Services Agency published a statistical review for 2025. The agency seized over 83,211 kg of illegal drugs, exceeding the 2024 total, with significant increases recorded for heroin and methamphetamine. More than 17,700 prohibited weapons and over 830 firearms were confiscated, while the export of 1,590 stolen vehicles was prevented. CBSA processed over 5 million commercial trucks and facilitated the removal of 22,000 inadmissible individuals. The agency collected $47.5 billion in duties and taxes, further expanding use of its CARM system with high uptime rates for electronic processing. Notable efforts included 29,486 detector dog searches and actions on food, plant, animal, drug and currency seizures. The addition of 1,000 new officers is underway to further reinforce enforcement capabilities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Armed Forces member dies in Latvia during NATO deployment

On January 31, National Defence confirmed the death of Gunner Sebastian Halmagean, a member of the Canadian Armed Forces deployed on Operation REASSURANCE in Latvia. Halmagean was assigned to the Air Defence Battery of the Multinational Artillery Battalion Group at NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia. The incident, which occurred near Riga, is under investigation by the Canadian Forces Military Police and Latvian State Police. There is currently no indication of increased threat to personnel in the area. Halmagean was a three-year veteran based at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown and on his first overseas deployment.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Weekly aircraft movements data published for January 10–16, 2026

Statistics Canada released updated figures for weekly aircraft itinerant movements, covering the period from January 10 to 16, 2026. The data set includes movement statistics crucial for monitoring air traffic trends at Canadian airports and planning for aerospace and defence logistics operations.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Quebec launches call for speakers for numériQc 2026 public event on digital transformation

The Ministry of Cybersecurity and Digital invites applications from speakers for the Public Event numériQc 2026, scheduled for June 9 in Quebec. The theme is 'Transforming Differently,' focusing on innovation in government digital strategy.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• How will the money be spent in Canada's massive defence expansion?: A column considers effects of the current record-sized Canadian military budget.
• BDC steps up its defence-sector footprint with investments in semiconductors and space tech and a new strategic partnership: BDC announces targeted investments in semiconductors and space technology as part of a new defence initiative.
• BDC targets rockets, semiconductors as first investments under new defence strategy: BDC details initial investments in rocket and semiconductor firms tied to its updated defence sector approach.
• Calian leads $100-million investment to build cross-country defence lab network: Calian announces plan for a nationwide defence laboratory infrastructure through a $100-million investment.
• Opting out of F-35 purchase would be 'three ways from Sunday stupid,' says retired major general: Retired major general comments on NORAD arrangements and the importance of F-35 acquisition.
• Calian Mobilizes Initial $100 Million to Accelerate Canada's C5ISRT Defence Capabilities: Expansion in Canada's C5ISRT defence technologies with new investment from Calian.
• THE RESILIENCE DOCTRINE: 5 Assets Securing the 2026 Sovereign Stack: A strategic briefing on sovereign capabilities and assets for Canadian defence in 2026.
• CSG's Record IPO Sets Europe up For Defense-Led Listings Rebound: European IPO activity in defence sector sees major momentum with CSG's record listing.

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