WASHINGTON D.C – As Canada prepares for the NATO summit in Washington, DC, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing increased pressure to address the country’s lagging military spending.
Despite being a founding member of NATO, Canada remains significantly below the alliance’s defense spending target, raising concerns about its commitment to collective security.
NATO members are expected to allocate at least 2% of their GDP to defense. Canada, however, allocates only 1.34%, positioning it just ahead of Slovenia, Turkey, Spain, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
In contrast, the United Kingdom spends slightly over 2%, and the United States allocates nearly 3.5% of its GDP to defense.
Canada’s defense budget currently stands at C$27 billion ($19.8 billion, £15.5 billion), with plans to increase it to nearly C$50 billion by 2030. Yet, this increase will still only account for 1.76% of the country’s GDP.
The U.S. has expressed its frustration with Canada’s defense spending through a letter from 23 bipartisan senators to Trudeau, emphasizing their disappointment.
U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen highlighted Canada’s position as an outlier within the alliance, while U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the situation “shameful.”
In response, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair promised a “credible, verifiable plan” to enhance military spending, expressing confidence that Canada will meet the NATO threshold.
Meanwhile, Canadian Ambassador to Washington Kristen Hillman acknowledged the pressure but emphasized Canada’s steadfast alliance.
The NATO summit comes at a critical time as member nations contend with an assertive Russia and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Additionally, the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House adds another layer of complexity.
Trump previously pressured NATO members to increase their spending and has continued to voice his opinions on the campaign trail.
Failure to meet the spending commitments could subject Canada to further scrutiny and pressure from a potential Trump administration.
Additionally, Canada’s ambitions to join US-led Indo-Pacific economic talks and other defense pacts, such as AUKUS, may be hindered by its current defense spending levels.
Christopher Sands, head of the Washington DC-based Wilson Center’s Canada Institute, noted that Canada’s exclusion from important discussions highlights its perceived inadequacies in defense capabilities.
Philippe Legassé, a professor at Carleton University, pointed out that Canadian public opinion prioritizes other needs, such as healthcare and social services, over defense spending.
Historically, Canada relied on protection from nuclear allies like the UK and the US and focused on peacekeeping rather than military spending.
Despite increased spending following the onset of the war in Afghanistan, Canada still grapples with procurement issues and the aftermath of decades of neglect.
While Canada’s tangible contributions, such as support for Ukraine and leading the NATO battlegroup in Latvia, are significant, experts anticipate that most pressure at the summit will occur behind closed doors.
