Overview
- The Auditor General’s report, released Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, found only 56 percent of regular‑use training ammunition was used over three years, pointing to overstated needs and cancelled exercises that created large excesses of non‑lethal rounds.
- The audit identified significant shortfalls in the strategic combat stockpile and said the Canadian Armed Forces’ readiness to meet NATO commitments is well below target.
- Contracting and production problems slowed replenishment with the audit showing 15 contracts averaged almost 19 months for delivery and two of four Munitions Supply Program agreements had lapsed, weakening domestic production capacity.
- National Defence does not centrally track ammunition spending or consistently record why training activities were limited or cancelled, and inventory records for quantities and expiry dates were unreliable.
- Defence Minister David McGuinty accepted the six recommendations and said the government is starting fixes to tracking, storage and production, but officials warn closing the gaps will take years and will be phased while some specifics remain withheld for security reasons.