The same share of respondents supported the Government of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, which aims to transform the country’s defence sector by prioritising Canadian suppliers. ACDC said the findings show broad public backing for a stronger domestic defence industrial base.
“The polling makes clear that Canadians understand sovereignty cannot depend on others. Canadians know our history of innovation and industrial leadership once gave us greater control over our own destiny, and there is a growing desire to build that capacity again,” said Eliot Pence, co-chair of the Alliance of Canadian Defence Companies.
The poll found a clear difference in public attitudes toward potential defence suppliers. Canadian-owned companies received a net support rating of +74 and Canadian-controlled companies +65, while American defence companies, including U.S. multinationals operating Canadian subsidiaries, scored -19.
ACDC said that sentiment remained steady across regions and demographic groups. The organisation said the results indicate that defence procurement is increasingly viewed as a sovereignty issue.
“What we’re seeing is that defence procurement is a Canadian sovereignty issue,” said Paul Ziadé, co-chair of ACDC. “Whether you’re in Atlantic Canada or Alberta, whether you’re 25 or 65, Canadians are saying the same thing everywhere.”
“We need to build defence equipment here to ensure Canada is not dependent on foreign suppliers and that taxpayer dollars support skilled jobs and manufacturing across the country,” Ziadé added.
Pence said the findings should guide government decisions on defence spending. “Canadians expect public funds to be used to build innovative Canadian companies that can compete and win globally, not as a grant, not as a subsidiary, but as a customer,” he said.
The poll also found that Canadians ranked protection of the country’s northern territory as their top defence priority. Eighty-three percent said “Canada being able to protect its land in the north” was important.
Strengthening Arctic sovereignty ranked ahead of meeting international defence spending commitments, which 71% of respondents considered important. The poll also found that 74% supported buying Canadian-made drones and sensors to monitor remote Arctic areas.
ACDC said the public also expressed confidence in domestic industry. Seventy percent of respondents said Canadian companies can build defence equipment at the same quality as international competitors.
“Canadians know we can do this. Now they want Ottawa to move at the speed this moment demands to deliver the procurement system promised by the Defence Industrial Strategy. One that builds a defence industry led by Canadian-owned and Canadian-controlled companies,” Ziadé said.
The online survey of 3,032 Canadian adults was conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights from March 27 to April 8, 2026, and weighted to represent the population. ACDC represents more than 200 Canadian-owned and Canadian-controlled defence companies across aerospace, maritime, land, cyber and other defence sectors.
