Strong, Secure, Engaged
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| Strong, Secure, Engaged | |
|---|---|
| Name | Strong, Secure, Engaged |
| Type | Defence policy |
| Publisher | Government of Canada |
| Released | 2017 |
| Jurisdiction | Canada |
| Chief | Justin Trudeau |
Strong, Secure, Engaged is a 2017 Canadian defence policy published by the Government of Canada under Justin Trudeau that set directions for the Canadian Armed Forces, procurement, and international posture. The policy connected investment plans, capability priorities, and alliance commitments with domestic priorities such as resilience and industrial base support, referencing relationships with actors like NATO, United States, United Kingdom, and regional partners. It replaced earlier frameworks associated with administrations including Stephen Harper and addressed themes raised in reports by institutions such as the Department of National Defence (Canada), Parliament of Canada, and external think tanks like the Canadian Global Affairs Institute.
Background and Development
The policy emerged amid debates involving figures and institutions including Justin Trudeau, Harjit Sajjan, Ralph Goodale, John McCallum, and analysts from David Suzuki Foundation, Fraser Institute, Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canadian International Council. Development referenced historical precedents such as the Kenney reforms, the post–Cold War era, and previous white papers including those linked to Paul Martin and Jean Chrétien. Consultations drew on submissions from defence contractors like Irving Shipbuilding, Bombardier, SNC-Lavalin, CAE Inc., and stakeholders including Province of Quebec, Province of Ontario, City of Vancouver and Indigenous groups represented by organizations such as the Assembly of First Nations.
Strategic Objectives and Priorities
The policy articulated objectives aligned with allies and forums including NATO Summit (2017), United Nations Security Council, G7 Summit, NORAD modernization, and partnership activities with African Union, Organization of American States, and Pacific actors such as Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Priorities emphasized protecting Canadians and the North with attention to the Arctic Council, supporting continental defence with United States Northern Command, contributing to NATO collective defence with forces interoperable with Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Canadian Army units, and advancing international peace operations consistent with mandates from United Nations missions. Policy language referenced interoperability standards like those used in Operation REASSURANCE, Operation IMPACT, and historic deployments such as War in Afghanistan (2001–2021).
Key Policy Components
Components included capability investment plans involving ships, aircraft, land vehicles, and cyber capabilities procured through programs such as the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, contracts with Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, and partnerships with industrial stakeholders like General Dynamics. Procurement goals featured replacement of surface combatants, commitment to replenishment ships, Arctic and offshore patrol vessels, and acquisition programs for fighters and transport aircraft with links to projects like the F-35 Lightning II debate and past purchases such as the CC-130 Hercules fleet sustainment. Other elements covered readiness and training, referencing institutions like the Royal Military College of Canada, doctrine updates influenced by NATO Standardization Office, and investments in cyber and space capabilities with connections to entities such as the Canadian Space Agency and private firms like BlackBerry for security technologies.
Implementation and Funding
Implementation relied on budgeting processes involving the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, the Department of National Defence (Canada), and parliamentary scrutiny by the Standing Committee on National Defence (Canada). Funding commitments referenced multi-year envelopes and fiscal frameworks similar to those debated during the 2018 Canadian federal budget, with involvement from finance ministers including Bill Morneau and later discussions under Chrystia Freeland. Execution saw contracts awarded to firms such as Irving Shipbuilding and programs managed in collaboration with provincial economic development agencies like Invest in Canada and industry consortia including Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC).
Reception and Criticism
Reception spanned endorsements from allies like NATO Secretary General and praise from institutes such as the Centre for International Governance Innovation alongside criticism from opposition leaders including Andrew Scheer and commentators at the Fraser Institute and Canadian Taxpayers Federation. Critics highlighted concerns over cost overruns, schedule delays reminiscent of projects like CH-148 Cyclone maintenance issues and controversies involving SNC-Lavalin procurement scandals, and debates over capabilities compared with commitments in operations such as Operation REASSURANCE and historic NATO obligations like those at the Kabul mission. Legal and parliamentary scrutiny involved references to the Access to Information Act (Canada) and hearings before the House of Commons of Canada.
Impact and Outcomes
Outcomes included fleet modernization steps involving orders affecting companies like Irving Shipbuilding and fleet plans tied to the National Shipbuilding Strategy, contributions to NATO missions such as deployments under Operation REASSURANCE, and renewed investments in Arctic presence with activities coordinated through the Canadian Rangers. Evaluations by bodies such as the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, the Parliamentary Budget Officer, and think tanks including the Canadian Global Affairs Institute documented mixed results on timelines, cost containment, and industrial benefits. The policy influenced subsequent procurement debates involving the F-35 Lightning II, continental defence arrangements with NORAD, and Canada's posture in multilateral forums including the United Nations General Assembly.