Canada’s Liberal government will significantly increase defense spending and meet NATO’s 2% target this fiscal year, five years ahead of schedule, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Monday.
Canada has been under pressure from the United States and other NATO allies for years to increase military funding. Canada currently spends about 1.4% of GDP on defense.
"Now is the time to act with urgency, force, and determination," Carney said in a speech in Toronto, reiterating promises to work more closely with Europe's defense industry.
Carney won the April 28 election on a promise to stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and also to reduce the country's military reliance on Washington.
Carney said another reason for Ottawa to act was what he called the decision by the United States to gradually withdraw from the concept of collective security.
