OTTAWA – Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright, welcomed this week’s unveiling of the Canada First Defence Strategy, the Conservative Government’s comprehensive, long-term plan to ensure the Canadian Forces have the people, equipment, and support they need to do their job.

“This is another important promise we made during the election – to stand up for Canada,” stated Benoit. “The Strategy will first strengthen our ability to defend Canada and protect its people. It will improve surveillance of our land and coastal borders, and bolster our capacity to provide support for civilian authorities in the event of natural disasters or major international events”

Benoit pointed out that Canada has not only national obligations, but international ones as well. “We have to be ready and able to take on our fair share of the burden of defending North America, including our obligations under NORAD, and therefore, the second priority of the strategy will be to ensure we meet our commitments for continental security,” explained Benoit.

Global security will be the third priority, ensuring that Canada continues to play a major role in global security and humanitarian interventions.

“It is important to note the Strategy’s added impact of delivering significant economic benefits for Canadians,” continued Benoit. “This unprecedented commitment of stable, long-term funding will provide good jobs and new opportunities for the thousands of Canadians who work in defence industries, and benefit the dozens of communities across the country that provide support for military bases.”

Through Canada First, our Government is ensuring that the Forces are able to plan long term and that they have the personnel and equipment they need to do their job: To project our values and protect our interests, to fulfill Canada’s international commitments, and to keep our True North strong and free.