Canada to meet 2 per cent NATO spending pledge this year: Carney
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OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney is pledging that Canada will achieve NATO's spending target of two per cent of GDP on defence this year — five years ahead of his prior commitment which promised to meet the mark by 2030.
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Carney, who is set to attend the NATO Summit later this month, made the announcement in a speech at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy in Toronto on Monday.
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He said Canada's strategy is focused on four pillars: investing in the men and women who serve, expanding and enhancing military capabilities, strengthening the government's relationship with the defence industry and diversifying Canada's defence partnerships.
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'We will ensure every dollar is invested wisely, including by prioritizing made-in-Canada manufacturing and supply chains,' he said.
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'We should no longer send three quarters of our defence capital spending to America.'
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Carney said the government will invest in new submarines, aircraft, ships, armed vehicles and artillery, as well as new radar, drones and sensors. He also committed to a larger and sustained Canadian Armed Forces presence in Canada's north, year-round.
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He said the government will expand the reach and security mandate of the Canadian Coast Guard and integrate those investments into Canada's defence capabilities. And he said members of the Canadian Armed Forces will receive a 'well-deserved' salary bump.
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'We will further accelerate our investments in the years to come, consistent with meeting our new security imperatives,' he said.
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'Our goal is to protect Canadians, not to satisfy NATO accountants,' he added.
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Carney said the Department of National Defence will 'immediately' design a new defence policy, 'informed by experts and the experience of allies and partners, including Ukraine.'
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