Liberal Leader Mark Carney emphasized the importance of Canada’s self-reliance in response to leaked war plans for military strikes in Yemen by top U.S. officials. Carney underscored the need for Canada to enhance its defense capabilities and decision-making processes to safeguard the country’s interests. The remarks came following reports that war plans were mistakenly shared in a text chain involving U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance. The leaked information detailed forthcoming strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, including target locations and deployment strategies.
While Hegseth dismissed the reports as false, a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of the text chain and acknowledged an inadvertent inclusion of unauthorized individuals. Carney expressed concerns over the evolving security landscape, stressing the significance of addressing security breaches and maintaining transparency in response to such incidents. He highlighted the changing dynamics of Canada’s relationship with the United States and the need for Canada to bolster its defense capabilities independently.
Stephanie Carvin, a national security expert, emphasized the necessity for Canada to enhance its military and intelligence capabilities amid shifting U.S. priorities. Carvin emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency in defense and intelligence operations due to uncertainties regarding information sharing with the U.S. Carney outlined plans to strengthen Canada’s military, including proposals to prioritize domestic steel and aluminum in defense production and expand the coast guard’s surveillance mandate.
Carney’s statements were delivered during a campaign event at the Irving shipyard in Halifax, where he reiterated existing defense plans and proposed initiatives, including the acquisition of new submarines and salary increases for military personnel. He also hinted at upcoming defense announcements in the Liberal Party’s platform, which will outline further details on defense strategies and budget priorities. The party’s platform is set to be released before the upcoming election on April 28.
