Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday vowed that Canada would achieve the current NATO defense spending target of 2% of GDP in 2025, half a decade ahead of Ottawa’s previous commitment.
In 2024, Canada spent just over 1.3% of its GDP on the military, ahead of only four other NATO members: Belgium, Luxembourg, Slovenia, and Spain, according to the most recent figures for the alliance. The country’s anemic defense spending record has drawn fierce criticism from President Trump, who has used it to justify his suggestion that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.
Mr. Carney said Canada’s defense spending increases were necessary in response to Russian and Chinese aggression and new shadowy threats like terrorism and cyber attacks.
“Threats from a more dangerous and divided world are unraveling the rules-based international order,” he said. “The consequences of these developments are profound [but] we have agency in determining what comes next.”
Last year, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed Canada to increasing defense spending to 2% of GDP after facing mounting pressure from the U.S. and other NATO members. But that goal wasn’t expected to be met until 2032.
Although he didn’t mention President Trump by name, Mr. Carney used his speech at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs to call for Canada to be less reliant on the United States for its security. He said Washington’s gravitational pull on Canada was always strong, especially after the end of World War II. The hold became virtually irresistible following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
“It made the U.S. our closest ally and dominant trading partner,” he said. “But now, the United States is beginning to monetize its hegemony by charging for access to its markets and reducing its relative contribution to our collective security .”
Last week, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said there was broad support among the member states for President Trump’s demand that for more defense spending. Mr. Rutte wants allies to spend 5% of GDP on the military.
Mr. Carney said Ottawa would be investing in new submarines, ships, combat aircraft, armored vehicles and artillery. Reinvigorating the Canadian defense industry is a crucial part of the government’s rearmament plan for the military.
“We should no longer send three-quarters of our defense capital spending to America,” Mr. Carney said. “If we want a better world, we will have to make difficult choices. Government must start by fulfilling its more fundamental role, which is to defend Canadians.”
A decade ago, Canada was spending only 1% of its GDP on the military. Mr. Carney said it left the country’s troops without necessary resources.
Even today, only one of Canada’s four submarines is seaworthy, while less than half of its warships and armored vehicles can be considered operational, he said.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.