Defence Minister Peter MacKay is in Halifax today to attend the Halifax International Security Forum.

Global Maritimes reports that MacKay will meet with U.S. Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta and Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak. This is the third year for the forum held in Halifax and its planning is timely.

The article states that the meeting is coming on the heels of a controversial move by Panetta threatening to shut down the F-35 fighter jet program of which both Canada and U.S. have a stake in, if the U.S. Congress does not agree to spending cuts elsewhere in the Pentagon's programs. 

Ehud Barak will also give a presentation at the forum and is bringing the issue of nuclear armament in Iran to the table.

Read the full article here: http://www.globalmaritimes.com/canadian+and+us+defence+ministers+meet+today+at+halifax+security+forum/6442524481/story.html