UPDATE: Watch the Prime Minister’s rearmament announcement below:
According to reports ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s defence investment announcement this morning, Canada will hit the 2% NATO target by the end of the current fiscal year, or March of 2026.
Reports indicate the Prime Minister’s announcement will largely focus on domestic defence production, as well as the acquisition of drones, armoured vehicles, underwater sensors, and aircraft.
The Globe & Mail and Radio-Canada were the first to report the news.
Reports indicate that the Coast Guard will be folded into the Department of National Defence, aligning with practices in other countries.
Military members will also receive a pay raise.
This is a stark contrast from the timeline under the Trudeau government, when Canada had pledged to hit 2% by 2032. Now, that will be achieved six years earlier.
The announcement comes ahead of a NATO summit where the target itself is likely to increase to 5%.
Spencer Fernando
Image – YouTube