Minister David McGuinty Appointed as Minister of National Defence

Welcome Minister McGuinty, the new Minister of National Defence.

We are pleased to welcome the Honourable David McGuinty as Minister of National Defence.

In the coming months, Minister McGuinty’s leadership will be pivotal in advancing the Department of National Defence’s mission to safeguard Canada’s security, strengthen international partnerships, and foster excellence within the Defence portfolio.

Minister McGuinty brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this role, having previously served as the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and as the Chair of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, amongst other positions. Minister McGuinty is also a highly respected member of Canada’s legal community, and has practised law and worked with governments, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations worldwide to help advance progress on a wide range of issues.

Minister McGuinty’s leadership and commitment to public service will help shape the future of Defence, and we look forward to working with him. The ongoing contributions of Defence Team members will be vital in supporting Minister McGuinty and the Government’s efforts to enhance the operational effectiveness and readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces.

We also welcome the Honourable Jill McKnight as the Minister of Veterans Affairs and the Associate Minister of National Defence. Newly elected in 2025, Minister McKnight brings extensive private sector experience to both portfolios.

We must also extend a heartfelt thank you to Minister Blair. His tenure and leadership at DND during a dynamic time set the path for increases to investment in the defence of Canada.

Please join us in welcoming Ministers McGuinty and McKnight to the Defence portfolio.

Stefanie Beck

Deputy Minister

General Jennie Carignan

Chief of the Defence Staff

With the new pay raise provided to the military, which in my view was long overdue and needed, I want to ask if the same pay raise will be applied to the veterans CFSA. The reason I ask, is that I served for 23 years and retired in 2001, as a Snr Sgt in the Armoured Corp and even then, my family lived paycheque to paycheque. That when I retired medically from the service, that my CFSA was not enough and I worked for another 12 years once I was retrained and had no choice, due to disabilities, to stop work in 2014. Thankfully, I was able to support myself and spouse because our sons were old enough to work and move out when I had to fully retire. Then years later, when I applied for my CPP, that it was adjusted because of my CFSA. Yet I paid into both CFSA and CPP during my service, and another 12 years after leaving the military. There is no way that I or any veteran should be penalized in such a manner. Please correct me if I am wrong, but from what I have researched, NO MP who receives a Public Service Pension, that their PSP does not influence their CPP pension. Why is there such a discrepancy between the soldier and the MP, when it is the soldier who sacrifices more for the country than any politician. Please respond via my email.

1 thought on “Minister David McGuinty Appointed as Minister of National Defence”

Dave Stewart (Sgt. retired)
February 10, 2026 at 2:16 PM

With the new pay raise provided to the military, which in my view was long overdue and needed, I want to ask if the same pay raise will be applied to the veterans CFSA. The reason I ask, is that I served for 23 years and retired in 2001, as a Snr Sgt in the Armoured Corp and even then, my family lived paycheque to paycheque. That when I retired medically from the service, that my CFSA was not enough and I worked for another 12 years once I was retrained and had no choice, due to disabilities, to stop work in 2014. Thankfully, I was able to support myself and spouse because our sons were old enough to work and move out when I had to fully retire. Then years later, when I applied for my CPP, that it was adjusted because of my CFSA. Yet I paid into both CFSA and CPP during my service, and another 12 years after leaving the military. There is no way that I or any veteran should be penalized in such a manner. Please correct me if I am wrong, but from what I have researched, NO MP who receives a Public Service Pension, that their PSP does not influence their CPP pension. Why is there such a discrepancy between the soldier and the MP, when it is the soldier who sacrifices more for the country than any politician. Please respond via my email.

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