Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a plan to fast-track defence spending, committing to meet NATO’s 2% of GDP target by the end of the current fiscal year, five years ahead of schedule. Speaking at the University of Toronto, Carney emphasized the need for Canada to build its own military capacity and reduce its dependency on the United States, citing a “dangerous and divided world” and growing threats from Russia and China. This move signals a major shift in Canada’s defence policy.
The prime minister’s ambitious plan includes diverting billions in spending to domestic manufacturers, aiming to bolster Canada’s own defence industry. This strategic pivot comes amid concerns over the aging state of Canada’s military assets, with only one of its four submarines reportedly seaworthy and less than half of its maritime and land vehicles operational. Carney specifically highlighted the “monetization of hegemony” by the US, referencing protectionist tariffs and a reevaluation of the US-Canada defence relationship.
These announcements precede the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, and the NATO summit in The Hague, where defence spending will be a key topic. Carney’s commitment to “made-in-Canada manufacturing” and reduced reliance on US defence capital spending reflects a broader sentiment that Canada needs to secure its own interests and capabilities in an increasingly volatile global landscape.
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