Senator Percy Downe from Prince Edward Island is advocating for the federal government to allocate part of its recent defence spending commitments toward expanding military reserves on the Island. He proposes replacing the aging Queen Charlotte Armouries and Brighton Compound, both located in Charlottetown and over 70 years old.
New Defence Strategy Opens Opportunities
Prime Minister Mark Carney recently announced a comprehensive defence industry strategy, pledging $81.8 billion to rebuild, rearm, and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces. This plan sets key benchmarks for the next decade and aligns with Budget 2025: Canada Strong, targeting 2 per cent of GDP on defence this fiscal year and rising to 5 per cent by 2035.
Downe emphasizes that Prince Edward Island, the only province without its own military base, stands ready to contribute through reserve forces. “They’re greatly increasing the number of reserve units across Canada, and P.E.I. can participate in that,” Downe stated.
Proposal for Modern Infrastructure
Downe calls for constructing a new facility that merges the two existing sites, providing more space for growth. He envisions features like a year-round indoor shooting range and expanded room for the P.E.I. Regiment Museum. “If we had a new facility, we could combine the Brighton Compound and the Queen Charlotte Armouries,” he explained, noting the current structures require significant upgrades.
Relocating to a larger area would address current limitations and support reserve expansion, enhancing defence preparedness and emergency response capabilities for Islanders and neighboring provinces.
Rich Military Heritage Supports Case
Downe highlights the Island’s strong military history. “The military history of P.E.I. is outstanding. We have always been there when the nation needed us to serve,” he said. “We need the infrastructure in this unsettling time to assist if anything happens in this area.”
Next Steps for Advocacy
For now, Downe’s initiative aims to build awareness of the Island’s potential role in national defence. He plans to formally engage the Department of National Defence and Liberal caucus colleagues soon. “I want to raise awareness of what needs to be done and then we’ll pursue it,” Downe affirmed. “I think we have a strong case.”
