Canada is an active player in international crisis management operations. North America’s second superpower has contributed sparingly to the financing of NATO.
Russia’s attack on Ukraine affects NATO’s equipment in many ways in its European allies. General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg during the Vilnius summit at the beginning of July, demanded that all NATO countries increase their defense spending to two percent of gross national product.
Last year, Canada’s defense spending was about 1.22 percent of gross domestic product. According to the statistics, Canada is on the same level as Belgium, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Spain and Turkey. The defense spending of each is less than 1.4 percent of the gross domestic product. Finland’s share is calculated by the Ministry of Defense including 1.96 percent of the gross national product this current year.
The two percent goal has been exceeded by the United States, Poland and the United Kingdom. To write about it The Economist magazine.
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau has brushed off doubts about Canada’s frugal line. According to him, Canada is a reliable partner all over the world. The Prime Minister outlines that support for arms investments will continue to be given for the benefit of Canadians.
A long way to reach the two percent goal
The gap to NATO’s two percent goal is quite wide. Canada’s Budget Officer Yves Giroux estimates that to achieve the goal, Canada would need to invest $57 billion by 2027.
Ukraine also brought pressure to the distribution of Canadian military spending. The government has taken a new look at the defense policy, because the effects of Russia’s war of aggression can also be seen across the Atlantic. The review examines, for example, what kind of strengths Canada needs.
The Canadian Navy aims to acquire 12 new submarines and 15 new frigates.
Canada is currently involved in NATO’s European structure, for example in Latvia. A brigade’s worth of soldiers will be transferred to the Baltics in 2026. Canada is also investing in the North American air defense system, Norad.