VAC Minister McKnight visits CFB Esquimalt, highlights NATO 2% targeted spending

1 April 2026 - Esquimalt, British Columbia - Veterans Affairs Canada

Canada continues to face a rapidly evolving global security environment, requiring sustained and strategic investment to strengthen national defence, protect Canadians, assert sovereignty, and support Allies and partners.

Over the last year, the Government of Canada has moved at unprecedented speed and scale to deliver on its plan to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces. As a result, Canada has delivered on a core objective of its plan - achieving the NATO 2% defence spending target this year, half a decade ahead of schedule. Beyond enhancing military readiness, Canada's historic defence investment is generating significant economic benefits - driving innovation, growing the defence industrial base, and creating long-term prosperity for Canadians.

Today, the Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, announced spending for the Esquimalt jetty project and military housing:

• $1.1 billion will be invested to replace the aging A and B jetties in Esquimalt, British Columbia, supporting Royal Canadian Navy operations and future fleet requirements.
• The Esquimalt jetty project is expected to support approximately 1,280 jobs during construction and will deliver modern, seismically resilient infrastructure on the Pacific Coast.
• There will be expanded access to military housing, including 7,500 new units built at 25 locations across Canada, including Esquimalt and Comox, British Columbia, and the launch of the second phase of a national housing construction program valued at over $3.7 billion.

Meeting 2% is not an end point - it is the beginning of a sustained, whole-of-government effort to rebuild the Canadian Armed Forces, restore operational readiness, and deliver the warfighting capabilities required to deter threats, defend Canada, and contribute to the defence of North America and international security. Over the next decade, Canada will deliver half a trillion dollars in defence investment, putting the country on a clear path toward meeting the new NATO Defence Investment Pledge of 5% of GDP by 2035. This sustained investment will also generate significant economic benefits for Canadians - driving innovation, growing the domestic defence industrial base.

The Government of Canada will advance this longterm investment plan to strengthen defence and security, supporting a Defence Team that remains prepared, resilient, and reliable in an increasingly complex world.