Overview of the Promise

During his 2025 election campaign, Mark Carney, as Liberal Leader and later Prime Minister, pledged to expand Canada's ability to monitor its coastlines and secure the Arctic. This included acquiring new submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy, additional heavy icebreakers, and building on existing commitments under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). The promise aimed to bolster military presence amid geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Arctic region, with a focus on sovereignty and resource protection.

Actions Taken on Submarines

The promise specifically mentioned new submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy. As of September 2025, the government has initiated procurement, narrowing bidders to Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and South Korea's Hanwha Ocean. Prime Minister Carney announced this during a visit to Germany, emphasizing the need for up to 12 conventionally powered submarines to replace the aging Victoria-class fleet. This step builds on campaign pledges made in March 2025, with an estimated $100 billion project aimed at enhancing underwater capabilities in the Arctic and other coastlines. No submarines have been delivered yet, but the selection process is advancing, with input from international builders and Canadian industry.

Progress on Heavy Icebreakers

Carney committed to additional heavy icebreakers to secure the Arctic. Under the NSS, contracts were awarded in March 2025 to build two new polar icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard, with Seaspan Shipyards starting construction on one in April 2025 and marking the start of another Polar Max icebreaker in August 2025. Davie Shipbuilding also secured a $3.25 billion contract for a polar icebreaker, expected by 2030. These developments directly support Arctic monitoring and sovereignty, revitalizing the marine industry and creating jobs.

Building on the National Shipbuilding Strategy

The promise emphasized continuing all orders underway through the NSS. The government has celebrated NSS milestones, including economic benefits at shipyards like Seaspan and Irving Shipbuilding. In June 2025, progress was highlighted on fleet renewals for the Navy and Coast Guard. Recent announcements in August 2025 noted ongoing investments to strengthen shipbuilding capabilities, ensuring modern vessels for maritime challenges. This includes expansions in drone defense and over-the-horizon radar technology from Australia to monitor threats in the Arctic.

Related Legislation and Proposals

No specific new legislation has been passed solely for this promise, but actions are executed through existing frameworks like the NSS, established in 2010 and updated in recent years. Budget allocations in 2025 supported defense spending increases, with Carney's government proposing enhancements in the federal budget to meet NATO commitments. In March 2025, plans were unveiled to reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces, including Arctic expansions, without introducing standalone bills. Procurement and contracts are managed under Public Services and Procurement Canada, with no reported delays in legislative approvals.

Monitoring Coastlines and Arctic Security

Beyond submarines and icebreakers, the government has vowed to expand military presence in the mineral-rich Arctic, including new drone-focused strategies and radar tech for threat monitoring from adversaries like China and Russia. Announcements in March 2025 from Iqaluit detailed plans for increased Armed Forces footprint, aligning with the promise's broader goal of coastline monitoring. These initiatives are part of a "Trump-proof" strategy to secure sovereignty amid U.S. pressures.

Path to Fulfillment or Failure

This promise is currently in progress, with key procurements and constructions underway. To be considered kept, the government must complete submarine acquisitions, deliver the icebreakers, and operationalize enhancements for full coastline and Arctic security by the end of Carney's term or specified timelines (e.g., 2030 for some vessels). It could be deemed broken if procurement stalls, funding is cut due to budget constraints, or geopolitical shifts halt international partnerships, leading to no new assets deployed.

Overall Status

This promise is in progress.