Canada pledges $1B for CFB Gagetown upgrades, new air defence systems, and expanded training, boosting military readiness and community support.
Canada Commits $1 Billion to Modernize Gagetown Base
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Thursday in Halifax that more than $1 billion will be invested in the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown. The funding is part of a larger plan to rebuild Canada’s military and meet NATO’s two-per-cent GDP defence spending target.
This marks the largest year-over-year defence budget increase in generations, with Ottawa allocating more than $63 billion nationally. Over $3 billion of this is dedicated to Atlantic Canada, including infrastructure and defence projects.
Upgrades to Training and Air Defence
In New Brunswick, the investment will recapitalize the primary army training area at Gagetown. It will also introduce new ground-based air defence systems and modernize facilities so soldiers can train on infrastructure built for the next century.
Additionally, $20.2 million is earmarked for personnel support services, helping Canadian Armed Forces members transition smoothly to civilian life.
Gagetown: A Major Employer
Base Gagetown is a key economic driver, employing approximately 6,500 military personnel and 1,000 civilians. It ranks as the second largest public-sector employer in the province and the third largest overall after local Irving companies.
Lt.-Col. Adam Siokalo, the base’s deputy commander, expects a significant increase in personnel over the next decade, with up to 2,000 additional soldiers posted to the base to support expanded training operations.
Supporting Families and Community Needs
Jean-Claude D’Amours, New Brunswick’s minister responsible for military affairs, emphasized the province’s role in anticipating housing, health care, and educational needs for incoming personnel and their families.
“Our job is to make every transition to New Brunswick as seamless as possible,” D’Amours said. He is working closely with the base commander to ensure the community is prepared for the influx of new residents.
Regional Defence Investments
Carney also announced targeted spending across Atlantic Canada. In Nova Scotia, $1.2 billion will go to CFB Halifax Dockyard and Stadacona, while $648 million will fund two new aviation support facilities at 14 Wing Greenwood.
Another $180 million will be invested in the Combatant Training and Integration Centre to prepare the Royal Canadian Navy’s future river-class destroyers. These projects are designed to modernize critical infrastructure, expand operational capacity, and support the next generation of Canada’s military.
