Canada commits to new NATO defence spending target of five per cent of GDP
OTTAWA — Even before it hits the 2014 NATO target of two per cent, Canada is committing to a new NATO target of boosting its defence and military spending to five per cent of its GDP — or $150 billion each year in total — within 10 years.
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Following a two-day NATO summit in the Netherlands, Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed Wednesday that the defence alliance of European countries, the U.S. and Canada agreed to significantly increase the sizes of their military and boost defence infrastructure spending within a decade.
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The new target, which was the product of significant pressure by U.S. President Donald Trump, will be split in two portions: 3.5 per cent dedicated to military spending and 1.5 per cent on defence infrastructure investments.
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During an interview with CNN Tuesday evening, Carney said the new target — should Canada ever hit it — means the government will eventually be spending roughly $150 billion per year on defence. 'It's a lot of money,' he acknowledged.
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During a press conference Wednesday, Carney said that the target is designed to respond to current and growing threats from Russia and other hostile countries. But he said the target could be adjusted in years to come and the geopolitical situation evolves.
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'We are protecting Canadians against new threats. I wish we didn't have to… but we do have to and it is our core responsibility as government,' Carney said.
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'The fact that we're united, the fact the United States is fully behind this, the fact that we're working together is going to reduce the threat environment 10 years from now,' he added.
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Toronto Sun
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Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account This is yet another way the Carney government is very much like the Trudeau government. Below I'll get into the insanity of a government thinking it can stop criminals from using firearms illegally by forcing non-criminals to give up their legal property. This is the logical equivalent of forcing all non-drinking Canadians to surrender their cars to the government because drunk drivers are causing death and mayhem on our roads. But apart from the intellectual fallacies of confiscation, there is a practical problem looming for the gun-loathing Liberals. Their confiscation program is set to end on Oct. 31 and they haven't collected a single firearm from a private citizen. 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