Federal spending surged during the Trudeau era, yet the CAF was still woefully underfunded. Addressing that imbalance requires difficult choices, but those choices must be made to help secure Canada in a dangerous world.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has accurately noted that national defence is the most important function of the federal government.
Recognizing that reality is one thing. Turning those words into action is another.
Despite a significant expansion in federal spending during the Trudeau era, little of that money (on a proportional basis), went to national defence. And seeing as how the defence budget Trudeau inherited from the Harper Government was already low, this meant that even as overall federal spending surged, defence was left behind.
Addressing that significant imbalance will require a shift in priorities, a shift complicated by the fact that Canada’s economy is being slammed with U.S. tariffs.
While Canada’s overall debt position is relatively strong (particularly our net debt), and we can borrow at low rates relative to most other nations, the government still faces the challenge of raising defence spending without driving the deficit to unsustainable levels.
As a result, the government is looking for budget cuts elsewhere.
As first reported by the Globe & Mail, Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne is asking ministers to find 7.5% in program spending cuts for the upcoming fiscal year, to be followed by cuts of 10% and 15% in the two subsequent fiscal years.
Those would be substantial cuts but would fit into Mark Carney’s campaign promise to shift government spending toward capital projects rather than operating expenses. Projects deemed in the national interest – including pipelines – could have a large price tag, as will large-scale military equipment purchases. Restraining operating expenses would free up some room for that new spending, and maintaining government credibility with investors.
Our top national priority
If the government follows through with these spending cuts while increasing military investment, it would represent a long overdue choice to finally make national defence our top national priority. For far too long, subsequent Canadian governments viewed national defence as something that might maybe get addressed if everything else is taken care of, rather than putting it first.
But without a strong national defence, without Canada being able to defend its territory, borders, airspace, and allies, nothing else really matters. There’s a reason national defence is supposed to be the main focus of the federal government, while issues like healthcare and education are largely left to the provinces.
If the Canadian government is finally recognizing this, it would represent a level of seriousness and responsible governance worthy of support.
Spencer Fernando
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