Canada to meet NATO spending threshold before schedule, Carney says
Al JazeeraMAY 26
Canada Pledges to Meet NATO 2% Defense Spending Target This Year
Above: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney tours the Fort York Armoury in Toronto on June 9, 2025. Image copyright: Cole Burston/Stringer/Getty Images news via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
Canada's defense spending increase represents a long-overdue investment in national security after years of neglecting military capabilities. The country's military infrastructure has deteriorated to dangerous levels, with most submarines and vehicles non-operational, requiring immediate action to protect Canadian sovereignty in an increasingly hostile world. Diversifying away from American suppliers makes strategic sense given Trump's trade threats and America's reduced commitment to collective security.
Government-critical narrative
Massive increases in Canadian defense spending raise concerns about fiscal responsibility. Moving away from proven American defense partnerships toward untested European alternatives could actually weaken Canada's security capabilities. Moreover, there are vital social programs that would produce far more value for the Canadian people than military expenditures.