ManitobaWinnipeg has the potential to help Canada meet its national security targets, says Mayor Scott Gillingham, who has asked the federal government to consider giving a portion of new defence spending to the city.City ‘well-positioned’ to help Canada’s security interests with existing infrastructure, Gillingham saysCBC News · Posted: Sep 18, 2025 6:03 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoMayor Scott Gillingham says Winnipeg can help Canada with its national security interests through expanded operations at the RCAF base 17 Wing. (Tyson Koschik/CBC)Winnipeg has the potential to help Canada meet its national security targets, says Mayor Scott Gillingham who has asked the federal government to consider investing a portion of new defence spending in the city. Prime Minister Mark Carney has said there will be an extra $9 billion in defence spending by April as the country tries to meet NATO’s target of two per cent of gross domestic product this year.”Winnipeg is very well-positioned to receive some of that. I hope significant portions,” Gillingham told reporters on Thursday.Gillingham sent a letter, endorsed by a number of local organizations, that calls on Ottawa to give priority to Winnipeg for new federal defence investments. Assets — including Winnipeg’s two Royal Canadian Air Force headquarters and the country’s third largest aerospace sector — make a case for the city to be considered by the federal government, Gillingham said. Mayor Scott Gillingham has written a letter to Ottawa asking that Winnipeg be given priority for new federal defence investments. (Tyson Koschik/CBC)With added funds, there is an opportunity to expand operations at the RCAF base 17 Wing Winnipeg, which already supports NORAD fighter operations and the two air force headquarters. Gillingham said Winnipeg has the infrastructure to support new developments in air defence, with college programs offering aerospace sector training and an established supply chain to support defence operations. “We’ve got the trades that are ready to go when it comes to building military housing,” he said.The city could also offer affordable housing, employment opportunities and accessible child care, which are needed to recruit military personnel, the mayor said. But a federal partnership that would enhance military operations would increase the need for support for other infrastructure priorities, such as Winnipeg’s Chief Peguis Trail extension, Gillingham said, because the corridor would be needed for the movement of military goods.Frowth due to more jobs in the military sector would also increase the need for an expansion of the North End Water Pollution Control Centre, he said.With files from Bartley Kives
Mayor pitches Winnipeg for new military spending
