David McGuinty Announces $4 Billion For F-35 Jet Infrastructure - The Maple

EdmontonCanada's defence minister came to Alberta Wednesday to highlight the billions of military dollars being spent there, with less than two weeks to go before Albertans vote on whether it's time to quit Confederation. Alberta premier says funding puts province at forefront of air defenceLisa Johnson, Jack Farrell · The Canadian Press · Posted: Oct 07, 2026 5:17 PM EDT | Last Updated: October 8Listen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. National Defence Minister David McGuinty and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speak after a news conference at the Canadian Forces Base in Edmonton on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. (James Maclennan/The Canadian Press)Canada's defence minister came to Alberta Wednesday to highlight the billions of military dollars being spent there, with less than two weeks to go before Albertans vote on whether it's time to quit Confederation.

Defence Minister David McGuinty today announced a new $4 billion investment to support “capabilities” for Canada’s new fleet of American-made F-35 fighter jets at Cold Lake, Alta. The Liberal government has committed to purchasing 16 F-35 fighter jets made by American arms company Lockheed Martin, but has been reviewing plans to purchase more for over 18 months. Asked at a press conference at CFB Edmonton if the new investment signalled a step towards purchasing a full fleet of 88 jets, McGuinty stressed that Canada was committed to buying 16 jets and that the aircraft require “highly sophisticated” infrastructure. “The question of where we’re going next is under review,” he said. “We’re going to take the time we need to make sure that this is gotten right.”The review was announced amid Canada’s ongoing trade war with the United States and President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to turn Canada into the “51st” American state. The F-35 in particular has become a flash point due to Canada’s heavy military dependency on the U. S. and the fact that the American president could choose to block software updates for the Canadian jets.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds brought the Canadair CT-114 Tutor’s aerobatic career to a close on Friday, October 16, with a final home-base demonstration at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The private event, which was livestreamed, honored the Canadian-built jet trainer that defined the team for more than half a century, as well as the aircrew and support personnel who kept the increasingly demanding aircraft flying. This Friday, join us in saying farewell to the CT-114 Tutors. Watch the last airshow on Friday, October 16, 2026 live on our Facebook page. The live stream will begin at 2 p.m. (EDT). pic.twitter.com/I2Tr3buq5D— Royal Canadian Air Force (@RCAF_ARC) October 13, 2026