Defence minister views Canadian Coast Guard base

Minister of National Defence David McGuinty (centre) toured the Canadian Coast Guard base in Amherstburg during a stop in the region June 29. McGuinty first met with members of the tool and die industry in Windsor about possible work in the defence sector before coming to Amherstburg later on Monday afternoon.

As part of a visit where he tried to introduce job opportunities in the defence sectors to local industry, the Minister of National Defence made a stop in Amherstburg.

After visiting Windsor earlier in the day, Minister David McGuinty toured the Canadian Coast Guard base in Amherstburg Monday afternoon. 

McGuinty toured two vessels and buildings at the Dalhousie St. base during his visit to town.

McGuinty said the Canadian Coast Guard now falls under the umbrella of National Defence, stating he was impressed with the operation in Amherstburg. He pointed out an $815 million investment the federal government made in a sensor system which allows for enhanced knowledge when vessels enter Canadian waters. 

That system stretches from the arctic, down the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and also branches out southward and heads into the Great Lakes.

“They are doing fantastic work,” said McGuinty, of the Canadian Coast Guard.

McGuinty told reporters at the June 29 visit that NATO and its 32 nations are strong and that Canada is one of those nations increasing its defense spending to five per cent of its annual GDP by 2035.

“All of our partners are doing the same,” he said.

McGuinty’s first stop in his visit to the area was in Windsor as part of a one-day session that also included a number of companies within the industry sector. He said there are already nearly 82,000 jobs within the Canadian defense industry.

The minister explained that the goal of the meeting was to showcase the sector to area businesses and see if they are willing to become part of it. The goal is to create more jobs and pivot the economy with more workers in the defence field.

“I heard that more than 50 per cent of the tool and die industry is in the Windsor area,” said McGuinty. 

The visit was part of the Canada Defense Industrial Strategy, which was unveiled earlier in 2026.

The defence minister added Canada is the only non-European country in the SAFE program (Security Action for Europe) and that local companies could tie into a program where European countries spend $800 billion to $1.2 trillion.

“This is a market we can tap into,” McGuinty stated. “We’re convinced Canadian companies can compete and can win all over the world.”

Defence minister views Canadian Coast Guard base

By Ron Giofu