Canada is expected to spend 1.37 per cent of its GDP on defence, short of 2% target
Canada continues to miss its NATO defence spending target, but Defence Minister Bill Blair promises the goal will eventually be reached, as Russia’s war in Ukraine raises a threat of expanded conflict in Europe.
“In 2014, Canada’s defence spending actually fell for the only time in its history below one per cent,” Blair said.Last year, members of the alliance agreed to spend a minimum of two per cent of their economies on defence, a reflection of worries over Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.He is slated to give a speech and receive an award at an event hosted by the NATO Association of Canada on Wednesday afternoon. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is then expected to host him for dinner.
On the sidewalk in front of the building, “Canada lagging behind our NATO allies” was written in chalk, along with “Trudeau and Blair laughing stocks of the world” and “Canadians are not laughing.” Both Blair and Treasury Board President Anita Anand acknowledged this week that spending is delayed because of a shortage of procurement workers.
It’s superficial to speak about the two per cent target without examining how that money will be spent in the short and long term, said Anand, who was former defence minister but now holds the government’s purse strings. Stoltenberg’s last visit to Canada was in August 2022, when he and Trudeau spent time in the Arctic together.
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Blair promises Canada will meet NATO target as secretary-general visits OttawaOTTAWA — Canada continues to miss its NATO defence spending target, but Defence Minister Bill Blair promises the goal will eventually be reached, as Russia's war in Ukraine raises a threat of expanded conflict in Europe.
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Blair promises Canada will meet NATO target as secretary-general visits OttawaOTTAWA — Canada continues to miss its NATO defence spending target, but Defence Minister Bill Blair promises the goal will eventually be reached, as Russia's war in Ukraine raises a threat of expanded conflict in Europe.
Read more »
Blair promises Canada will meet NATO target as Stoltenberg visits OttawaSecretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is also slated to give a speech at an event hosted by the NATO Association of Canada this evening
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Blair promises Canada will meet NATO target as secretary-general visits OttawaOTTAWA — Canada continues to miss its NATO defence spending target, but Defence Minister Bill Blair promises the goal will eventually be reached, as Russia's war in Ukraine raises a threat of expanded conflict in Europe.
Read more »
Blair promises Canada will meet NATO target as secretary-general visits OttawaCanada continues to miss its NATO defence spending target, but Defence Minister Bill Blair promises the goal will eventually be reached, as Russia's war in Ukraine raises a threat of expanded conflict in Europe.
Read more »
Blair promises Canada will meet NATO target as secretary-general visits OttawaOTTAWA — Canada continues to miss its NATO defence spending target, but Defence Minister Bill Blair promises the goal will eventually be reached, as Russia's war in Ukraine raises a threat of expanded conflict in Europe.
Read more »