From Arctic security to military spending targets, the major parties are converging on defence as a strategic priority—but differ on scope, scale, and seriousness.
Canada’s political parties are—belatedly—recognizing that investment in the Canadian Armed Forces is a strategic necessity, not a luxury. As global instability rises and U.S. reliability comes into question, defence policy has emerged as an important issue in the federal campaign, particularly compared to past elections.
This column assesses the defence pledges of major parties across four key policy areas: the NATO 2% target, Arctic and territorial defence, procurement and industrial strategy, and personnel and housing.
The NATO 2% Target
Announcements are easy to make, but spending commitments indicate where priority has been placed. Most parties have announced a plan to hit the target, but timelines vary.
The Conservatives have called for Canada to spend 2% of GDP on defence, but have not said when they would reach that target. The Liberals have promised to hit the 2% target by 2030 “at the latest.” The NDP has issued a similar promise, but set 2032 as their deadline. The Greens refuse to commit to the NATO target. The Canadian Future Party promises to spend 2.25% immediately and reach 5% by 2030.
Arctic & Territorial Defence
With Canada facing mounting threats to our sovereignty in the North amid potential Russian, Chinese, and even American interest in areas claimed by Canada, there is a widespread consensus on the need for a strengthened defence posture in the region.
The Liberals pledge to purchase new submarines and icebreakers for the North, and create a “first-in-class drone capability” for use in defending the Arctic, infrastructure, borders, and allied territory.
The Conservatives propose doubling the 1st Patrol Group of the Canadian Rangers to 4,000 personnel, acquiring two additional icebreakers, constructing a permanent Arctic military base, speeding up the acquisition of new submarines, Northern Operation Support Hubs, Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft, and an Arctic satellite ground station. Further, the party is pledging to build an Arctic Security Corridor, procure Airborne Early Warning & Control Aircraft, create a new Army reserve unit in Whitehorse, upgrade FOB Inuvik to full base status, and build a new naval base in Churchill.
The NDP says they will “invest in the North to protect Canadian sovereignty,” while the Greens say they will “Strengthen Arctic and coastal security.”
The Canadian Future Party proposes investing in the full operationalization of the Nanisivik Naval Facility, while building additional bases in Resolute Bay and Tuktoyaktuk/Inuvik.
Procurement and Defence Industrial Strategy
When it comes to procurement and industrial policy, which has been a severe impediment to rebuilding the CAF for decades, all parties have sought to address the issue.
The Liberals are proposing to create an agency that will “centralize expertise from across government” to streamline the procurement process. They also propose prioritizing Canadian steel and aluminum for shipbuilding while ensuring Canadian companies benefit from the aforementioned investment in building up drone production capacity.
As previously noted, the Conservatives are proposing to procure two new Canadian-made icebreakers and have set a firm timetable (2029) for the delivery of two icebreakers currently under construction.
The NDP is calling for a made-in-Canada bid for aircraft like the US-made P-8 Poseidon, proposing Bombardier as a potential alternative supplier.
The Greens pledge to use “Canadian materials and talent” in a retooling of the defence sector, and want to establish a strategic ammunition reserve.
The Canadian Future Party is pledging to establish ‘Munitions Canada’ – reporting directly to the Minister of National Defence – as a dedicated department responsible for munitions.
Military Personnel, Pay, and Housing
With Canada lagging behind our recruiting goals, multiple parties have laid out policies aimed at making a military career more attractive.
The Conservatives are promising to help veterans get post-secondary credit for skills gained during their service, while removing military pension clawbacks for employed veterans.
The Liberals are promising a modernization of the recruitment process, an increase in military salaries, new on-base housing, and further access to services for military families.
The NDP proposes the construction of 5,000 affordable homes for military families, increased military salaries, and enhanced physical and mental health support.
The Canadian Future Party is proposing higher military salaries, improved military housing, and incentives for CAF veterans to return as training supervisors. The CFP is also proposing an expansion of the CAF to 100,000 personnel, alongside 40,000 reservists.
Assessing Strategic Credibility
You’ll notice some commonalities in the party defence pledges. Many focus on the Arctic, and all, aside from the Greens, promise to hit the 2% NATO target. There is a widespread recognition of the need for higher CAF pay and more military housing. There are notable differences, however.
The Liberals merit some credit for having already initiated elements of military expansion, though not at the scale required. That must be taken into account when assessing current Liberal pledges. Likewise, while the Conservative plan lacks a specific timetable to hit 2%, the party has made clear they are focused on the Arctic and have pledged to continue some already-announced investments.
The NDP and Greens present proposals that are heavy on rhetoric but light on specifics. The NDP’s 2032 date for reaching the NATO target may be seen as out of step with the immediacy of evolving strategic threats, while the Greens’ decision not to commit to the 2% benchmark places them at odds with NATO norms and broader allied expectations.
The CFP presents an ambitious plan, as reaching 5% of GDP by 2030 would align Canada’s spending with countries like Poland & Estonia. They also present the longest and most detailed defence policy, though costed Liberal & Conservative platforms are still set to be released. It should be noted that reaching 5% would require significant budgetary changes, necessitating a willingness to run large deficits, raise additional revenue, significantly reduce non-defence spending, or implement a ‘Canada War Bonds’- style program as outlined here.
A more serious nation
All of these pledges represent a step in the right direction. As Canadians have become more aware of our vulnerability in a rapidly changing world, support for increased military investment has grown. Canada’s political parties are doing a better job of representing this public sentiment. And while past defence spending promises have proven to be less than credible, there is reason to believe that US instability is focusing the minds of Canadian leaders on the issue of defence.
With the Liberals or Conservatives set to form government, both Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre would represent a more serious style of leadership when compared to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and this likely presages a stronger focus on rebuilding the CAF. Whichever party forms the government may find elements of the CFP platform a useful blueprint for more comprehensive defence reform.
If implemented even partially, these defence spending pledges would represent the most significant expansion of Canada’s defence capabilities since the early Cold War era.
Spencer Fernando
Photo – YouTube
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