29 Countries, One Harbour: What the 2026 PACOM CHODS Means for The West Coast Defence Community

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper; with files from the Government of Canada

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From Aug 31 to Sept 2, the Fairmont Empress Hotel and the Victoria Conference Centre (VCC) became one of the most secure square kilometres on Canada’s West Coast for the 2026 Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence Conference (PACOM CHODS).  

The three-day international conference was co-hosted by General (Gen) Jennie Carignan, Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, and Admiral (Adm) Samuel Paparo, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command, and held under the theme Strengthening Collective Security: Navigating Challenges in a Dynamic Indo-Pacific Landscape. The conference traditionally rotates annually between Hawaii, home to U.S. Pacific Command, and partner nations across the region, like Hawaii (2024), and Thailand (2025). This year’s 28th PACOM CHODS marked the largest guest list in the conference’s history, with 32 invited countries in comparison to just six in 2016. This is also the second time the conference has returned to Canada, with its 2017 iteration also held in Victoria. The goal of the annual event is to promote mutual understanding and interoperability among senior military leaders while discussing shared challenges and opportunities. 

Senior military leaders representing 30 delegations and 29 countries gather for a photo during the 28th annual PACOM CHODS conference in Victoria on Sept 1.
Photo: Cpl Mark Wanzel, CAF Imagery

 The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Canada’s Minister of National Defence, welcomed delegates during the 2026 PACOM CHODs opening ceremony by framing the conference around shared responsibility despite differences.  

“Our geography may be different; our capabilities may be different; but the responsibility is shared,” said McGuinty. “To protect our people, to defend our sovereignty, to preserve peace, and to be ready when that peace is tested.” He then pointed to a busy year of Indo-Pacific engagement for Canada, including new defence dialogues launched with South Korea, India, and Japan; joint exercises with the Philippines; and the appointment of Canada’s first senior military representative dedicated to the region.  

“Canada is here,” said McGuinty to a hall full of international military leaders and representatives. “Canada is investing, and Canada intends to remain engaged.” 

The conference followed with presentations by leading industry practioners and regional experts that explored different aspects of regional security issues, including non-defence and non-military perspectives. Topics included Artificial Intelligence Informed Decision Making, Cross-Domain Deterrence, Defence Industrial Base Investment, Expanding Multilateral Cooperation, and Leadership. Closed discussion periods following each presentation, as well as bilateral and multilateral engagements, were closed to the media entirely.  

Importantly, the 2026  PACOM CHODS presence in Victoria carried real weight for the West Coast Defence community, from new submarines expected to arrive at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt in coming years to the sailors, aviators, and military members whose future exercises and postings may trace back to conversations held behind closed doors during the conference. 

Adm Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, speaks during the opening ceremony of the 28th annual PACOM CHODS conference on Sept 1. Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan D. McLearnon, U.S. Navy

The clearest window into what this conference means locally came from McGuinty during a media scrum. When asked about the state of Canada-U.S. military cooperation amid a rockier political relationship between the two governments, McGuinty was careful to draw a line between international politics and the valuable, real military-to-military work happening throughout the conference. He also confirmed a visit to CFB Esquimalt just prior to the conference, where everything from mess hall conditions to the sustainment infrastructure Canada will need to support the arrival of new vessels and capabilities. “This will compel us, in this country, to plan to invest billions of dollars in this region, said McGuinty, “to bring up to speed the infrastructure we need in order to properly receive new ships, destroyers, icebreakers, aircraft, and beyond.” He also noted that National Defence remains one of British Columbia’s largest employers, a presence he expects will only grow as the Navy expands. 

Sampath Thuyacontha, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka, addresses fellow military leaders during a panel discussion at the 28th annual PACOM CHODS conference in Victoria on Sept 2. Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan D. McLearnon, U.S. Navy

This local thread carried into a press conference held on Sept 2, where Gen Carignan was asked how private discussions from the 2026 PACOM CHODS would translate into tangible opportunities down the chain for military personnel currently stationed on the West Coast. Her answer offered a glimpse into the working future at CFB Esquimalt.  

“This conference, where we meet our partners and allies face-to-face, is an opportunity to connect, understand each other’s interests and objectives,” said Gen Carignan. She then pointed to specific requests already on the table for Canada, including providing second-language training support for Vietnam, peacekeeping course access for Indonesia, and a cybersecurity collaboration with Japan. “These are the types of outcomes that come from this conference,” she said, a reminder that the relationships built during the conference will continue to develop.  

Away from the formal conference agenda, delegates were also given the opportunity to build rapport through engagements in local activities including a whale-watching excursion and time spent at the Royal BC Museum.