Defence Minister Defends Falling Short of Meeting NATO Spending Target

Defense Minister Justifies Not Reaching NATO Spending Goal

April 15, 2024 TruthUSA

Defence Minister Bill Blair asserts that his government’s investments in the military stand in stark contrast to the “very dark days” of the previous administration, despite not presenting a plan to meet NATO’s spending target.

Mr. Blair addressed the House of Commons national defence committee on April 15 to discuss Ottawa’s defence policy update, with MPs questioning the lack of action being taken.

“There’s no sense of urgency here,” remarked Tory MP James Bezan, the party’s defence critic. Mr. Bezan highlighted the multiple crises happening globally, from Ukraine to the Middle East, as well as domestic issues such as military personnel relying on food banks.

Mr. Bezan queried the minister about the absence of a commitment in the policy update to reach NATO’s defence budget target of at least 2 percent of GDP.

Since assuming office in 2015, Mr. Blair stated that his government has boosted defence spending by almost 70 percent.

He informed Mr. Bezan that by 2029, defence spending would have nearly tripled compared to the “very dark days of 2014,” when defence spending had dropped below 1 percent of GDP, coinciding with Bezan’s tenure as parliamentary secretary of defence.

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Canada allocated 1.01 percent of its GDP to defence in 2014, as per NATO data. At that time, only three countries met the 2 percent target, and most NATO members have subsequently raised military spending.

The Liberal government had pledged to reach NATO’s defence budget goal in July 2023, but the policy update falls short of aiming to achieve that target.

Ottawa plans to increase its defence spending-to-GDP ratio to 1.76 percent by 2029-2030. NATO figures show that Canada’s defence spending was at 1.33 percent of GDP in 2023, the fourth lowest among alliance members.

The defence policy update outlines an intention to invest $8.1 billion in defence over the next five years and $73 billion over the following two decades. The policy, issued on April 8, updates the “Strong, Secure, Engaged” policy presented in 2017.

Some of the investments include $9.9 billion over 20 years to extend the life of the Halifax-class frigates, and $18.4 billion over the same period to acquire new tactical helicopters.

Dollars are also allotted to support military members through a $295 million housing strategy over 20 years and $100 million over five years to enhance childcare on military bases.

The issue of military spending for NATO allies gained attention in February when former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested he would not defend a NATO member that does not sufficiently fund its own defence.

A few days after those comments, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that he anticipates 18 out of 31 alliance members will achieve the 2 percent target in 2024, up from 11 in 2023.

“We are making real progress: European Allies are spending more,” he remarked. “However, some allies still have a ways to go.”

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith told CTV News in February that Canada is the sole country without a plan to reach the 2 percent target.

The current highest spenders are Poland (3.92 percent), the U.S. (3.24 percent), and Greece (3.05 percent). Only Luxembourg (1.01 percent), Belgium (1.21 percent), and Spain (1.24 percent) allocate less than Canada.

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