- Canada faces pressure at Nato summit to increase military spending as spends only 1.34% of its GDP on defence, falling short of NATO’s 2% target, making it one of the lowest among NATO members.
- US officials and politicians have criticised Canada for its low defence spending, calling it “shameful”.
- Canada’s defence budget is set to increase from C$27bn to C$50bn by 2030, which would still only represent 1.76% of GDP, below NATO’s target.
- Canada’s low defence spending has affected its international alliances, excluding it from key groups like the AUKUS defence pact
Canada faces pressure at Nato summit to increase military spending
Canada is under increasing pressure to boost its military spending, as it currently falls short of NATO’s target of 2% of GDP. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will attend a NATO summit in Washington DC, where this issue is expected to be discussed. Despite being a NATO founding member, Canada only spends 1.34% of its GDP on defence, ranking low among the 32-nation alliance.
Canada’s defence budget is C$27bn, with plans to increase it to C$50bn by 2030, which would still be only 1.76% of GDP. US officials and politicians have expressed frustration, with some calling Canada’s current spending “shameful.” In response, Canada’s defence minister, Bill Blair, promised a “credible, verifiable plan” to meet the spending threshold.
The pressure comes amid growing global security concerns, particularly with Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Canada’s lower defence spending has also affected its international standing, excluding it from key alliances like the AUKUS defence pact. Public opinion in Canada prioritises healthcare and social services over military spending, contributing to the country’s lag in meeting NATO’s requirements.
Experts suggest that most of the pressure on Canada will be behind closed doors at the summit, as many NATO leaders, including US President Joe Biden, prefer not to publicly criticise Trudeau, with whom they are ideologically aligned. Despite the criticism, Canada has been actively supporting Ukraine and leading a NATO battlegroup in Latvia.
Good to speak with @ZelenskyyUA from D.C. today. I shared my horror at the Russian missiles that struck Ukrainian cities early this morning.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 9, 2024
As the @NATO Summit begins here in Washington, Canada and our Allies are with Ukraine all the way. pic.twitter.com/OUFS3b9xzK