Latest news with #MélanieJoly

Globe and Mail
10 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Shipbuilding, aerospace to be priorities in federal strategy to transform defence sector, Joly says
Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly says aerospace and shipbuilding are areas where Canada can excel as the government prepares its Defence Industrial Strategy, which aims to transform the country's status as a laggard to a leader in the sector. The strategy, which Ms. Joly said should be finalized in the coming months, will be key in shaping the future of Canada's defence industry, through items such as job creation in manufacturing, strengthened ties with Europe and a renewed relationship with the private sector. 'We're doing this because, fundamentally, we cannot take our peace for granted any more,' she said in an interview Tuesday with The Globe and Mail. Prime Minister Mark Carney has committed to boosting Canada's spending on defence to 2 per cent of its gross domestic product this fiscal year, and to 5 per cent by 2035. The latter NATO target will require Canada spend up to $150-billion annually, more than double its existing budget. How should Canada rearm itself? Fix aging bases, buy submarines, air-defence systems, experts say Through military investment, Ms. Joly said she'd like to see Canada's aerospace sector rebuilt into something that resembles former versions of itself – such as in the 1950s, when the country was known for its Avro Arrow program. She'd also like to see the country's shipyards become an export market for the rest of the world. With the Defence Industrial Strategy on the way, Ms. Joly said the government isn't waiting to take action. Last week, she sent a mandate letter to the Business Development Bank of Canada, a Crown corporation, asking it to work with government on the development of the country's defence sector and sovereign capabilities, such as dual-use technology and military weapons and equipment. More specifically, she asked the bank to support small to medium-sized enterprises that make up the sector's supply chains. In the letter, obtained by The Globe and Mail, Ms. Joly concludes with a request to the BDC to provide her with 'a proposal in alignment with industry best practices to ensure that commercially viable businesses operating in the full scope of defence and security industries can access the financial supports they need to start up, grow and prosper.' It's the first of several mandate letters Ms. Joly will give out to government bodies, such as Export Development Canada, the Canadian Space Agency and the National Research Council, asking them to actively support defence-related businesses and dual-use technologies. First, however, she said the military must be at the table with the private sector to rebuild a level of trust that has been slowly degraded after successive governments failed to adequately invest in defence. 'History has shown us that when you're able to have defence and the private sector really work together, you're able to spear up innovation, make sure that your country is peaceful and, ultimately, create jobs,' Ms. Joly said in the interview. After all, companies want contracts, not subsidies, she said. Supports being rolled out by the government for Canada's steel sector are also part of its push toward building sovereign defence capabilities. For example, Ms. Joly said the country's shipbuilding and aerospace industries should be buying domestic steel. And the fact that these industries have access to a Canadian supply chain for certain materials, such as critical minerals and metals, is a large part of the reason they're being identified as priorities in building strength at home. 'We cannot have a military that is dependent on a manufacturing sector that is either on the other side of the ocean or south of the border.' Opinion: Great defence spending plan, Carney. It'd be a shame if Ottawa bureaucracy got in the way This push to be more self-sustaining is already playing out in actions taken by companies such as Seaspan, which recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Ontario-based Algoma Steel Inc. ASTL-T and Stigterstaal Canada. The partnership was formed specifically to assess the feasibility of Algoma supplying steel to Seaspan to contribute to the future of Canada's shipbuilding sector. Strategic partnerships beyond our own borders will also be a key part of the Defence Industrial Strategy. While the U.S. continues to make decisions around tariffs and its economy that serve itself, Ms. Joly said Canada is working with other countries and NATO members to become more connected. 'The test of this is actually the Defence Industrial Strategy because we will need to be working more with Europe on this, and obviously NATO, while continuing to understand that a lot of our companies are American-owned,' she said, referring to the fact that roughly 40 per cent of the 600 companies that make up Canada's industrial base are subsidiaries of U.S.-headquartered firms. Canada is open to foreign direct investment, she said, but not at the sacrifice of its own sovereign capabilities: 'We won't be an economy of subsidiaries. We will own IP and we will be able to lead the world.' Defence is a priority for this Liberal government because the world is a more dangerous place, Ms. Joly said, and Canada needs a military it can rely upon to defend itself.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Government of Canada grants $1,859,000 to Just For Laughs Festival
MONTRÉAL, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) This year, the Just For Laughs Festival is back in Montréal from July 16 to 27 with new diverse programming where festive comic entertainment is front stage! Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), along with the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, announced a total of $1,859,000 in funding for the Just For Laughs Festival. CED is providing a non-repayable contribution of $1,359,000 under its Quebec Economic Development Program (QEDP) for the 2025 and 2026 editions of the festival. This assistance serves to support the promotion and marketing of the event, in addition to fostering the development of new products. For its part, Canadian Heritage is providing $500,000 through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund to support the 2025 edition of the festival. This funding will allow audiences to access rich bilingual programming, including comedy shows of all kinds. Quotes "The Just For Laughs Festival is one of our metropolis's flagship events which, on top of generating significant economic impacts, helps to position Montréal as the world capital of festivals. That is why our government is today announcing significant funding to attract festivalgoers from all walks of life and to provide the public with a renewed experience. Congratulations to the entire team! I invite Montréalers and tourists from home and abroad to take advantage of a rich program that illustrates our diversity and cultural vitality!" – The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for CED "The Just For Laughs Festival is an integral part of Montréal's cultural life. By showcasing both established artists and emerging talents, this major international event reflects the vitality, creativity and strength of our comedy scene. Our new government is proud to support this festival, which perfectly embodies the richness of our culture. Don't miss this great opportunity to come together and laugh!" – The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages Quick facts Montréal's Just For Laughs Festival is the largest comedy festival in the world, a must-attend event that, every summer, transforms the metropolis into the world capital of laughter. For over 40 years, it has been celebrating humour in all its forms, bringing together renowned artists, rising stars and the next generation of talent in a rich, daring, inclusive program. CED's Quebec Economic Development Program helps communities seize economic development and diversification opportunities that are promising for the future. The Canada Arts Presentation Fund provides financial assistance to organizations that professionally present arts festivals or performing arts series. It also supports organizations that offer support to arts presenters. Associated links CED: CED | Financing ( Canadian Heritage: Canada Arts Presentation Fund - Just For Laughs Festival: Just For Laughs Montréal is back in full force in 2025! - JFL Montréal SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
Government of Canada grants $1,859,000 to Just For Laughs Festival Français
MONTRÉAL, /CNW/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) This year, the Just For Laughs Festival is back in Montréal from July 16 to 27 with new diverse programming where festive comic entertainment is front stage! Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), along with the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, announced a total of $1,859,000 in funding for the Just For Laughs Festival. CED is providing a non-repayable contribution of $1,359,000 under its Quebec Economic Development Program (QEDP) for the 2025 and 2026 editions of the festival. This assistance serves to support the promotion and marketing of the event, in addition to fostering the development of new products. For its part, Canadian Heritage is providing $500,000 through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund to support the 2025 edition of the festival. This funding will allow audiences to access rich bilingual programming, including comedy shows of all kinds. Quotes "The Just For Laughs Festival is one of our metropolis's flagship events which, on top of generating significant economic impacts, helps to position Montréal as the world capital of festivals. That is why our government is today announcing significant funding to attract festivalgoers from all walks of life and to provide the public with a renewed experience. Congratulations to the entire team! I invite Montréalers and tourists from home and abroad to take advantage of a rich program that illustrates our diversity and cultural vitality!" – The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for CED "The Just For Laughs Festival is an integral part of Montréal's cultural life. By showcasing both established artists and emerging talents, this major international event reflects the vitality, creativity and strength of our comedy scene. Our new government is proud to support this festival, which perfectly embodies the richness of our culture. Don't miss this great opportunity to come together and laugh!" – The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages Quick facts Montréal's Just For Laughs Festival is the largest comedy festival in the world, a must-attend event that, every summer, transforms the metropolis into the world capital of laughter. For over 40 years, it has been celebrating humour in all its forms, bringing together renowned artists, rising stars and the next generation of talent in a rich, daring, inclusive program. CED's Quebec Economic Development Program helps communities seize economic development and diversification opportunities that are promising for the future. The Canada Arts Presentation Fund provides financial assistance to organizations that professionally present arts festivals or performing arts series. It also supports organizations that offer support to arts presenters. Associated links SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions


CBC
7 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Steel industry is 'crown jewel' of Canada's manufacturing sector: Joly
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly tells Power & Politics new federal measures are meant to protect and support the domestic steel industry — the 'crown jewel' of Canada's manufacturing sector — in the face of U.S. tariffs.


Cision Canada
15-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Canada and European Union launch new industrial policy dialogue Français
OTTAWA, ON, /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is focused on strengthening and diversifying international partnerships, working with the European Union (EU) to protect and create jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, and Stéphane Séjourné, the European Commission's Executive Vice-President (EVP) for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, met on July 11 to advance collaboration under the New Canada–EU Strategic Partnership of the Future. This partnership was announced at the Canada–European Union Leaders' Summit in Brussels on June 23 by the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada; António Costa, President of the European Council; and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Minister Joly and EVP Séjourné agreed to develop a joint work plan in the coming weeks that will determine specific areas of cooperation. They also committed to convening again within the next month to further advance their shared priorities. Recognizing economic diplomacy as a vital tool for fostering stability, innovation and prosperity, both leaders emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation to address global challenges. Quotes "At this pivotal moment, Canada is committed to deepening its partnership with the European Union as we diversify supply chains and enhance trade ties. Together, we are strengthening a trans-Atlantic alliance that will enhance our economic competitiveness and protect critical industries and technologies." – The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions "Today's visit marks the first concrete step toward the deeper cooperation envisioned at the EU–Canada Summit. At a time when the international geoeconomic landscape has rarely been so unstable, strong partnerships and shared perspectives on global trade and industrial trends are more valuable than ever. From expanding our trade ties and strengthening technological and innovation cooperation to increasing the supply of Canadian raw materials, we share an unprecedented range of common interests." – Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, European Commission Quick facts Prime Minister Mark Carney launched the New Canada–EU Strategic Partnership of the Future in Brussels with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on June 23, 2025. Canada and the EU also signed the Security and Defence Partnership, which provides a framework for dialogue and cooperation in security and defence priorities. SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada