The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that Ottawa is encouraging Canada's banks to provide financing for defence companies -- a risky industry that lenders have typically shunned -- as the federal government increases spending to bolster the country's military and sovereign capabilities. The Globe's Stefanie Marotta writes that Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said the next step in financing Canada's defence companies could come in the fall federal budget by providing the Business Development Bank of Canada with the money needed to support Ottawa's new defence objectives. She said, "We need to be able to invest $9-billion in defence spending more than usual before the end of the fiscal year and therefore I think the BDC can be helpful." Ms. Joly stopped short of stating whether the fall federal budget will include greater financing for the BDC. Ms. Joly visited Germany this week as part of a Canadian delegation led by Prime Minister Mark Carney aimed at pitching the country's energy and critical minerals to Europe's largest economy. In the coming months, the Minister plans to finalize Canada's defence industrial strategy. "What companies are looking for are contracts rather than subsidies," she said.