The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, concluded a visit to Singapore where he led Canada's delegation to the Shangri-La Dialogue from May 31 to June 2. Minister Blair was joined by the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Wayne Eyre, and senior National Defence officials.
During his visit, Minister Blair announced the deployment of three Royal Canadian Navy vessels to Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), where Canadian sailors will operate alongside Indo-Pacific allies and partners. This year, the maritime component of the exercise will be led by a Canadian commodore - demonstrating Canada's commitment to leadership as we engage with Indo-Pacific partners. Following RIMPAC, HMCS Vancouver will continue on to a deployment in the Indo-Pacific through Operation HORIZON, Canada's revamped Indo-Pacific military mission. Thanks to Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, Canada is now deploying three frigates per year to the region for the second year in a row.
The Minister also announced that Canada has joined the Multilateral Initiative for Defence Industrial Base Resilience in the Indo-Pacific, launched at the Shangri-La Dialogue by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. This important initiative will ensure that Canada and its partners in the Indo-Pacific can develop a resilient defence industrial base ready with the necessary technological footings to face potential challenges in the region.
Minister Blair made these announcements in his remarks to the Shangri-La Dialogue's sixth plenary session.
Over the course of the Dialogue, the Minister also highlighted Canada's recently released defence policy update, Our North, Strong and Free (ONSAF). The new policy boosts Canada's investments in our military so that it has the tools and training required to operate in Canada and around the world - including in the Indo-Pacific. Backed by $8.1 billion over five years and $73 billion over twenty years in additional defence spending, ONSAF strengthens Canada's ability to implement the defence initiatives in its Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS).
During his visit to Singapore, Minister Blair met with:
- Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles. Minister Blair and Deputy Prime Minister Marles discussed their recently released defence policies and strategies, and how Canada and Australia share a similar outlook on the strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific region. They also discussed the high level of defence collaboration between Canada and Australia in the region, including through the Five Eyes community, and how Canada and Australia can continue to advance this partnership by coordinating their military operations and regional exercises, defence materiel cooperation, and collaboration on advanced capabilities development.
- China's Minister of National Defence, Dong Jun. Minister Blair stated Canada's belief that open lines of communication between our countries, and particularly between our defence establishments, are essential. This meeting was an important step in that regard. During the meeting, Minister Blair reiterated the importance of responsible state behaviour in accordance with international law. Minister Blair expressed Canada's concern regarding PRC's foreign interference. Minister Blair further highlighted Canada's concern about recent Chinese military exercises around Taiwan, as well as China's ongoing and growing economic and financial support to Russia. Minister Blair reiterated that communication between both countries is vital - and welcomed future opportunities for continued dialogue.
- Japan's Minister of Defense, Kihara Minoru. The Ministers discussed their countries' strong bilateral defence partnership, the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and their intent to maintain momentum on strategic defence dialogue and bilateral defence cooperation. Minister Blair highlighted how the investments in Canada's new defence policy, ONSAF, will support its contributions to the Indo-Pacific region. Minister Blair also thanked his Japanese counterpart for hosting Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aircraft monitoring the implementation of sanctions against North Korea under Operation NEON.
- Republic of Korea Defence Minister Shin Won-sik. The Ministers discussed their growing bilateral defence partnership and Minister Blair highlighted how the investments in Canada's new defence policy, ONSAF, will support Canada's contributions to the Indo-Pacific region. Minister Blair noted Canada's historic and ongoing contributions to Korean security, and reaffirmed Canada's commitment through ongoing sanctions monitoring activities under Operation NEON, and contributions to the United Nations Command (UNC), including through the leadership of the current Canadian Deputy Commander of the UNC in the Republic of Korea.
- Malaysia's Minister of Defence, Khaled Nordin. Minister Blair reiterated Canada's commitment to their countries' dynamic defence relationship and highlighted how Canada's new defence policy, ONSAF, bolsters Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy commitments. Both Ministers discussed existing and future areas of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, including through ASEAN.
- New Zealand's Minister of Defence, Judith Collins. The Ministers discussed the importance of security cooperation between Canada and New Zealand as Five Eyes partners with shared values and extensive defence ties. Minister Blair reiterated how the commitments in Canada's new defence policy, ONSAF, support Canada's readiness to deliver on its Indo-Pacific Strategy. The Ministers explored future opportunities for defence collaboration in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
- The Philippines' Secretary of Defense, Gilberto Teodoro. Minister Blair recognized that 2024 marks 75 years of Canada-Philippines diplomatic ties, and reaffirmed Canada's commitment to growing bilateral defence relations. The Minister and Secretary discussed the defence cooperation activities outlined in the Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding signed in January 2024 and the implementation of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy.
- Singapore's Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen. Minister Blair thanked his counterpart for once again hosting the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The Ministers discussed the implementation of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, as well as the progress made on the Defence Cooperation Arrangement signed by the two countries, which enables increased opportunities for interaction and partnership between the two countries' armed forces.
During his trip to Singapore, Minister Blair engaged with young leaders from diplomatic, military, academic and civil society backgrounds at the International Institute for Strategic Studies' Southeast Asia Young Leaders Programme roundtable.
Minister Blair also attended the Cohen Group's policy breakfast, hosted by General Mike Scaparrotti, former North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Supreme Allied Commander. During the breakfast, defence leaders discussed the current security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and how allies and partners can work toward common goals.
The Shangri-La Dialogue is a cornerstone event of Canada's defence diplomacy in the region. The event brings together delegates from more than 50 countries to discuss regional security challenges and engage in important bilateral discussions with Indo-Pacific counterparts. As a Pacific nation, the security and stability of the broader Indo-Pacific region is vital in shaping Canada's future and prosperity.
This was Minister Blair's first official trip to the Indo-Pacific region as Minister of National Defence. The Canadian Minister of National Defence has attended the Shangri-La Dialogue every year since 2017.
