Murray Brewster

Ottawa is turning its Defence Investment Agency into a Crown corporation, giving it broader powers to negotiate contracts, invest in strategic industries and accelerate military purchases. The government promises oversight will remain, but critics warn the arm's-length structure could blur accountability just as Canada prepares for a historic defence spending surge.

Even as Ottawa pours billions into rebuilding Canada's military, CBC News has learned the Defence Department faces another round of internal belt-tightening. The federal Treasury Board is examining operational spending as part of cuts mandated in a previous federal budget, raising concerns that the government's ambitious rearmament plans could come at the expense of training, maintenance and readiness.

The Carney government quietly suspended plans to purchase 16 Black Hawk helicopters for Canada's special forces amid escalating tensions with Washington. The decision reflects Ottawa's growing reluctance to buy American military equipment, even as commanders seek urgently needed capabilities. Critics warn short-term political calculations could undermine long-term military readiness.

NATO's supreme commander of transformation says the West's greatest vulnerability may not be a shortage of weapons, but the time it takes to build them — and the speed at which its adversaries are learning to fight.

Canada's top general promises to publicly release findings into the Wainwright training fire that killed four soldiers and injured 39 others. But as three investigations get underway, military law experts warn the process may not establish fault, raising questions about accountability and whether grieving families will get the answers they deserve.

Prime Minister Mark Carney heads to Turkey, seeking closer trade, energy and defence ties with a strategically important NATO ally. The historic visit marks a turnaround in relations once soured by a Canadian arms embargo. But Ankara's crackdown on dissent tests Carney's promise to balance economic pragmatism with Canadian values.

Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Turkey on Thursday for a historic visit aimed at strengthening trade and defence co-operation with the strategically important NATO ally. The trip underscores Ottawa's efforts to diversify beyond the United States, while navigating sensitive questions about human rights and Ankara's recent crackdown on civil society groups.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's political and economic tightrope act began Thursday as he and Turkish President Recep Erdogan announced a strategic partnership aimed at expanding trade and defence co-operation.

Prime Minister Mark Carney defended his government’s pursuit of trade with countries accused of human rights abuses, arguing few nations meet Canada’s standards. Wrapping up a visit to Turkey, Carney insisted engagement does not equal approval, but declined to say whether he personally challenged President Erdogan over his government’s crackdown.

Prime Minister Mark Carney sees Turkey's rapidly expanding defence industry as a model for breaking Canada's dependence on American military suppliers. But a history of broken trust and political repression casts a shadow over the partnership.