Defence Policy

• Earlier this year, I announced a renewed vision for Canada’s defence: Our North, Strong and Free.
• This policy will continue to strengthen the defence of Canada by investing in our people, our capabilities, and our capacity at home and abroad.
• For example, we will increase our defence spending by $8.1 billion over the next five years, starting in 2024-25, and $73 billion over the next twenty years.
• As we implement the policy through further investments, Canada is committed to spend 2% of its gross domestic product on defence by 2032.
• This represents a credible, responsible, and achievable target date, which will allow Canada to ramp up its spending and procurement capacity on a realistic timeline.
• We are making the investments necessary to protect Canadians, defend our North, and support our Allies in an increasingly unpredictable and interconnected world.
• I am proud that we are continuing to invest in our world-class Defence team, who serve Canada with great courage and devotion.

If pressed on specific initiatives:

• This policy is focused on credible deterrence at home and in North America, with a particular emphasis on the Arctic.
• One example is the establishment of Northern Operational Support Hubs, which will enable a greater year-round military presence and responsiveness across the Arctic and the North.
• It also includes important initiatives that will support our military members.
• For example, we will establish a Canadian Armed Forces Housing Strategy to rehabilitate existing housing and build new housing.
• We will also provide Canadian Armed Forces members with greater access to affordable childcare at bases.
• We will further invest in current and new infrastructure, and develop sustained, strategic partnerships when working with industry, innovators, and researchers to build an effective defence industrial base.
• In addition to many new initiatives, we continue to build a more inclusive and supportive force by pursuing the proposed legislative changes outlined in Bill C-66, which is currently in Second Reading in the House of Commons.
• Ultimately, the policy laid out in Our North, Strong and Free will help maintain the security and prosperity that Canadians have long enjoyed, in addition to protecting and promoting Canadian interests around the world.

• Canada is unwavering in its commitment to the NATO Alliance, to the defence of Euro-Atlantic security, and to global security, prosperity, and the rule of law.
• As we announced at the NATO Summit in Washington this summer, Canada is committed to spending 2% of its GDP on defence by 2032.
• This represents a credible, responsible, and achievable target date, which will allow Canada to ramp up its spending and procurement capacity on a realistic timeline.
• Our defence policy, Our North, Strong and Free (ONSAF),outlines $8.1 billion in new defence spending over the next 5 years, starting in 2024-25, and $73 billion over the next 20 years.
• Further, our investments put Canada on track to exceed NATO’s target of 20% for major equipment expenditures as a proportion of defence spending in fiscal year 2025-2026.
• We will continue to make significant but necessary investments to protect Canadians, defend our North, and support our Allies.

If pressed on specific NATO contributions:

• Canada’s contributions to NATO are recognized by our Allies as a significant part of the Alliance’s contributions to peace and security in Europe and beyond.
• Beyond the operational contributions we continue to make to NATO missions, we are supporting our Allies by investing in modern capabilities.
• Just last year, we announced the procurement of a fleet of 88 F-35 fighter jets, up to 16 P8A Poseidon patrol aircraft, 9 Multi-Role Tanker and Transport aircraft, and 11 MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft.
• In addition, we are urgently acquiring anti-aircraft, anti-drone systems, as well as modern anti-tank weapons to reinforce our troops in Latvia.
• Through ONSAF, we are investing heavily to acquire further capabilities over the years to come.

If pressed on the Parliamentary Budget Officer's post on NATO spending:

• National Defence appreciates the work of the Parliamentary Budget Officer.
• Given our different mandates, differences between how National Defence and the PBO approach defence spending are to be expected.
• While the PBO has developed its own methodology to calculate GDP, National Defence uses data provided by NATO.
• All NATO members must use the GDP data and benchmarks from NATO to ensure consistency amongst members.