Content: Canada’s Defence Minister David McGuinty addressed concerns regarding the ongoing review of the F-35 contract with Lockheed Martin, stating that the notion of irritants in Canada-U.S. defense discussions is “maybe a bit of a misnomer.” In an interview on a Sunday morning program, McGuinty emphasized the collaborative efforts between the two nations, particularly in integrated air missile defense systems.

“We have an integrated defense system,” McGuinty said. “We are active members of NORAD. It’s the only binational command in the world.” His comments came in response to U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra’s characterization of the F-35 review as an irritant in bilateral relations.

During the interview, host Rosemary Barton inquired whether the F-35 review had been discussed with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. McGuinty confirmed a recent meeting with Hegseth, where they focused on various areas of cooperation, including missile defense initiatives. “We spent a lot of time talking about a number of elements of areas where we are co-operating and making progress,” he noted.

The F-35 review was initiated in March by former Defence Minister Bill Blair amid escalating trade tensions with the United States. Since then, Canadian officials have indicated that Prime Minister Mark Carney will make a decision on the review when he deems appropriate.

Hoekstra previously suggested that Canada should clarify its intentions regarding the F-35 program, arguing that the Canadian government cannot sustain two separate fighter jet programs.

In addition to the F-35 discussions, McGuinty was asked about the potential implications of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed missile defense system, referred to as the Golden Dome. While he did not explicitly mention the term, McGuinty acknowledged ongoing conversations about a continental defense strategy.

“The question of a continental shield is one that we’re talking about,” he said. “It is something that builds on our existing NORAD interoperable system.” He added that the concept of the Golden Dome remains unclear, but emphasized the importance of strategic and coherent planning for Canada’s continental security.

As the F-35 review progresses, Canada is also seeking to strengthen its defense ties with the European Union. In July, Prime Minister Carney signed a strategic agreement with the EU, aimed at reducing Canada’s reliance on the U.S. This agreement allows Canadian companies to engage in the $1.25-trillion ReArm Europe program and facilitates partnerships with allied nations for military procurement under the SAFE program.

Geneviève Tuts, the EU ambassador to Canada, remarked on the significance of the partnership, stating, "This is a significant step and now we are negotiating … the way to transform this into concrete results." McGuinty expressed confidence that Canada could meet the NATO spending target of 2 percent by March 2026, which includes updates to pay and remuneration for Canadian Armed Forces members.