With this articulation, Prime Minister Mark Carney launched Canada’s new defense strategy in a bombshell moment. He promised that this year, he would increase military spending by another $9 billion Canadian — about US$6.6 billion. This funding is just a critical first step. It will address the aging military infrastructure and equipment that have too long undercut Canada’s military readiness.
A similar sense of urgency as in Carney’s government to reach NATO’s military spending benchmark – 2% of gross domestic product – by early next year. This plan arrives five years earlier than anticipated. He emphasized that Canada’s focus is on protecting its citizens rather than merely meeting NATO’s financial expectations, stating, “Our goal is to protect Canadians, not to satisfy NATO accountants.”
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Carney made a convincing defense. Only now will the Canadian Coast Guard be instituted as an actual arm of the military. This further integration enables the RTAs to serve a greater strategic purpose. It is intended to improve industrial diversification in Canada’s defense procurement and enhance relations with the European Union. “We should no longer send three-quarters of our defense capital spending to America,” Carney remarked, highlighting the need for Canada to reduce its reliance on U.S. military contracts.
The Prime Minister is personally intervening to reassess Canada’s planned buy of U.S.-built F-35 fighter jets. He is rightly looking at other options that could more effectively advance Canada’s defense objectives. He announced plans to invest in new submarines, planes, ships, armed vehicles and artillery. This decision is a welcome step towards ameliorating the dire situation of Canada’s military materiel. Only one of Canada’s four submarines is presently considered seaworthy. On top of that, fewer than 50 percent of the maritime fleet and over-the-road vehicles are not ready for use.
Carney’s commitment comes against a backdrop of increasing aggression from global powers and amid his administration’s promise to confront such challenges following the presidency of Donald Trump. He stated that the security environment is very different now. “Today we stood shoulder to shoulder with the Americans during the Cold War and in the decades that followed,” he said, “as the United States assumed a prevailing position upon the world stage. Today, that dominance is a legacy lost to time.”
At this G-7, the Prime Minister will welcome U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders from across the globe. That thrilling event is returning to Alberta this summer from June 15 to 17. The summit presents a venue for Carney to promote security cooperation and to strengthen Canada’s renewed defense strategy with its allies.
Meanwhile, Canada is continuing its military reforms to accelerate and modernize its capabilities and remain at the leading edge. Simultaneously, it is deepening bonds between Poland and other European states as part of a broader EU effort to reduce security reliance on the United States. European partners help unlock new opportunities for collaborative defense posture strengthening, said Carney.
“Our military infrastructure and equipment have aged, hindering our military preparedness,” Carney acknowledged, underscoring the urgency for upgrades and strategic investments.
