Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pledged sweeping reforms to Canada’s Armed Forces on Saturday, promising to end what he called years of Liberal neglect and replace “woke culture” with a renewed “warrior culture.”
Poilievre made 22 commitments to Canada’s military in his letter to Canadian Forces members at CFB Wainwright. The military base is located within the riding that Poilievre is running in to regain a seat in Parliament. The election results for Battle River—Crowfoot are forthcoming tonight.
“Conservatives believe now is the time to make the largest rebuild of our military in a generation, beginning in the North and extending across our land,” said Poilievre.
“Replace the woke culture with a warrior culture. No more DEI. No more weird political agendas. The military is a fighting force, not an instrument of social engineering. Bravery, honour, patriotism and strength are its pillars,” he added.
Poilievre’s plan includes boosting defence spending beyond NATO’s two per cent target, fixing recruitment shortfalls by filling all reserve and regular force vacancies, and building new Arctic military bases in Iqaluit, Churchill, and Inuvik.
He also pledged to double the size of the Canadian Rangers, acquire new icebreakers, expand cadet programs, and rapidly construct 6,000 new homes on Canadian Forces bases.
His promises come after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced earlier this month that his government would deliver pay increases for Armed Forces members and billions in new defence spending, enough to meet NATO’s two per cent target by 2025.
Carney said the measures mark a “generational shift” in compensation and investment aimed at revitalizing recruitment and strengthening Canada’s readiness in an “increasingly dangerous and divided world”.
However, the government has been accused of backtracking on its commitments. In June, Defence Minister David McGuinty said personnel would see “about a 20 per cent pay increase immediately,” but his office later admitted the raise may be spread across retention bonuses and other measures instead of a broad pay hike.
Military readiness has also drawn concern.
A July report revealed the Canadian Armed Forces is extending its readiness deadlines by several years.
Poilievre’s letter emphasized support for veterans, promising better job training, easier access to benefits, and new national monuments.
He vowed to “ease the transition to civilian life with job training, placement support, and mentorship” and to advance the case for Jess Larochelle to be the first recipient of the Canadian Victoria Cross.
At a February “Canada First” rally, Poilievre also tied military strength to national sovereignty, warning that Canada must “bear any burden and pay any price to protect our sovereignty and independence.”
He added, “Simply put, we can no longer depend on the Americans alone for trade and defence”.
The Canadian Armed Forces has been facing a shortfall of up to 14,000 qualified personnel and struggles to meet recruitment and retention targets.
Poilievre concluded his latest pledge by assuring soldiers that help is on the way.
“To serve is to sacrifice. But service should not mean neglect. I will fight for you to once again be respected, equipped, and empowered,” said Poilievre. “Stand strong. Help is on the way.”