Canada Commits to 2% Defence Spending in Response to Shifting Global Order Fast‑Tracks 2 % GDP Defence Boost Amid “America First” U.S. Shift and Global Turmoil
As NATO faces new threats and U.S. priorities turn inward, Canada finally meets its defence pledge — and signals a new strategic posture.
A monumental shift in Canadian policy was announced yesterday. Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that Canada will finally meet its NATO defence spending obligations, committing 2 percent of the country’s GDP to military spending. Finally. Finally. Finally.
This is a benchmark we’ve dodged for decades. Successive governments, Liberal and Conservative alike, have offered excuse after excuse: domestic priorities, our legacy as peacekeepers1, or the claim that Canada simply isn’t a militaristic nation. That era ended just a few hours ago because of Prime Minister Carney.
So why now? Because, as I’ve mentioned before, the world has changed. You can refer to my most recent article on the United States devolving and turning away from democracy, or my February piece highlighting Canada’s urgent need to diversify away from the U.S. and forge deeper, more meaningful connections with allies around the world. Tariffs, rising geopolitical instability, the war in Ukraine, internal discord in the United States, and a host of other unquantifiable factors all give weight to the Prime Minister’s historic announcement.
The United States, once our most reliable ally, has turned inward. “America First” isn’t just a slogan anymore. It’s a foreign policy doctrine, one that Trump is too proud of. He continues to “cozy up” to dictators—his ambition is to be (like) one.
Under this shift, alliances are conditional, defence guarantees are no longer assured, and trade deals have become battlegrounds. Canada is finally seeing the writing on the wall, and Carney, with his background in international finance, banking and diplomacy, understands the criticality of the moment.
This decision isn’t solely focused on appeasing NATO, It’s about asserting sovereignty. It’s about acknowledging that in a world of growing authoritarianism, cyber threats, Arctic militarization, and American unpredictability, we may no longer be able to depend on others to do the hard work of defending us.
And let’s not forget that since his election as Leader of the Liberal Party and appointment as Prime Minister back in March, Mark Carney has made one thing clear: Canada is shifting its focus. He has publicly stated that Canada will seek closer ties with its European allies and will participate in the Rearm Europe plan — a sweeping initiative that will see $1.25 trillion USD spent over five years on defence, military R&D, and the creation of an integrated supply chain between Europe, European NATO members, and… TADA — Canada!
This initiative will further strengthen defence procurement and investment, help build an integrated supply chain, and bring defence manufacturing and technological research back to Canada. I would not be surprised if we start to see significant job creation as a result, from research and development to shipbuilding to administrative management. The possibilities are endless.
Carney is not overplaying this. If anything, he’s catching up. And frankly, it’s long overdue. Critics on both the left and the right of the political axis may argue that he’s pro-war, pro-establishment, a militarist or a globalist. Frankly, that’s conspiracy theory nonsense. The facts are simple.
Canada’s 2% commitment is not a moment of militarism. It is a moment of realism. In today’s world, leadership starts with credibility, and credibility starts with the willingness to protect what you value. Carney’s just getting started but it’s clear to me that he’s willing to do what’s necessary in these difficult times to build Canada’s economy, to protect our sovereignty and rebuild our military to readiness standards.
I welcome yesterday’s news, and I genuinely hope Canada considers going beyond the two percent mark in the years ahead because God knows, we’re going to need it.
There is no such thing as peacekeeping if you cannot defend your nation’s sovereignty without relying on others. Just my two cents.
Good analysis .