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NDDN Committee Meeting

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Minutes of Proceedings

Standing Committee on National Defence (NDDN)
45th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 25
Monday, February 23, 2026, 11:01 a.m. to 1:12 p.m.
Presiding
Charles Sousa, Chair (Liberal)

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• Dean Allison for Scott Anderson (Conservative)
• Hon. Steven Guilbeault for Tim Watchorn (Liberal)
• Lori Idlout (NDP)
Library of Parliament
• Martin Auger, Analyst
• Andrés León, Analyst
Nexus Between National Defence, National Security and Canada’s Critical Minerals Sector
Business Council of Canada
• Michael Gullo, Vice President, Policy
Mining Association of Canada
• Photinie Koutsavlis, Vice President, Economic Affairs and Climate Change
NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines
• Hudson Lester, General Manager, Nunavut
Vale Base Metals
• Jeff Gaulin, Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the committee resumed its study of the nexus between national defence, national security and Canada’s critical minerals sector.

Hudson Lester, Photinie Koutsavlis, Michael Gullo and Jeff Gaulin made statements and answered questions.

Committee Business
The committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to committee business.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to the study of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Modernization, the proposed budget in the amount of $81,058.68, for the committee’s travel to Yellowknife, NT, Inuvik, NT and Tuktoyaktuk, NT, in the summer 2026, be adopted.

Motion

James Bezan moved, — That, pursuant to the motion adopted on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, to invite the Parliamentary Budget Officer to appear for no less than two hours, the meeting consideration be expanded to also include his new report titled Fiscal Implications of Meeting NATO’s 5% Commitment, and that he appears no later than March 13, 2026.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Motion

James Bezan moved, — That the committee invite the National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman to appear for no less than two hours to discuss his new report titled Marking Time: A decade of stalled progress for the Primary Reserve, that he appears no later than March 27, 2026, and that, where relevant, his testimony be considered for the committee’s study report on Inflection Point 2025.

Debate arose thereon.

Amendment

Sherry Romanado moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “no later than March 27, 2026” with the words “as soon as possible”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Sherry Romanado and it was agreed to on division.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to on division.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the committee invite the National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman to appear for no less than two hours to discuss his new report titled Marking Time: A decade of stalled progress for the Primary Reserve, that he appears as soon as possible, and that, where relevant, his testimony be considered for the committee’s study report on Inflection Point 2025.

Motion

James Bezan moved, — That the committee invite the Minister of National Defence to appear for no less than two hours to discuss the Defence Industrial Strategy.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Motion

James Bezan moved, — That the Minister of National Defence and officials be invited to appear on the Supplementary Estimates (C), 2025-26, for two hours; and that this meeting take place at least five calendar days before the Supplementary Estimates are to be reported to the House.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on division.

Motion

Sherry Romanado moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS); that the committee examine the impact of the DIS on the operational readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces, on the Canadian defence industry, on the innovation sector, and on the creation of jobs in Canada; that the committee hold a minimum of six meetings on this topic and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

Amendment

James Bezan moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the word “six” with the word “four”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of James Bezan and it was agreed to on division.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on division.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS); that the committee examine the impact of the DIS on the operational readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces, on the Canadian defence industry, on the innovation sector, and on the creation of jobs in Canada; that the committee hold a minimum of four meetings on this topic and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.

At 1:12 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Jean-Denis Kusion
Clerk of the committee