The federal government has provided further details following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement of a Canadian rearmament plan that will bring Canada to the 2.0% NATO target this fiscal year.
Here are some of the key investment commitments:
$2.6 billion for expanded recruitment and retention, aiming to expand the CAF to 71,500 regular members and 30,000 primary reserve members, along with investing in CAF-supporting civilian jobs.
$844 million to increase funding for repair and replacement of CAF equipment, as well as for repairing and sustaining current CAF infrastructure.
$560 million to increase resilience against cyber threats and strategically leverage data to improve military decision-making.
$1 billion to expand and enhance military capabilities, particularly in the Arctic, with a focus on Canadian military suppliers.
$2.1 billion to deepen government ties with the Canadian defence sector to start building a Defence Industrial Strategy by making it easier for industry to provide equipment to the CAF, and deepen allied industrial partnerships – including joint NATO procurement – in areas where Canadian firms cannot provide necessary capabilities.
$2 billion to diversify Canada’s military partnerships outside the United States, while still partnering with the U.S. when it is in Canada’s national interest. This likely refers to the ReArm Europe initiative, as well as potential future purchases from South Korea.
$135 million for ‘defence-related’ investments in other government departments.
An important step
This is a significant investment in Canada’s national defence. While 2.0% falls short of what is ultimately needed, shifting from 1.4% to 2.0% in a single fiscal year is impressive given the chronic underfunding of the CAF.
And if this investment is coupled with a real focus on domestic production and an improved procurement system, today will mark a turning point for Canada, where we start living up to our true military potential and take a more active role in defending our sovereignty and supporting our allies.
Spencer Fernando
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