Canada is under pressure to meet its NATO defence spending target by the end of the fiscal year 香蕉视频直播 and doing so could help reshape the country香蕉视频直播檚 economy, military, and role on the world stage.
According to Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement) and MP for Kelowna, the federal government is 香蕉视频直播済oing to get it done.香蕉视频直播
香蕉视频直播淢y immediate concern is getting us to two per cent (of GDP) by the end of the fiscal year,香蕉视频直播 he said. 香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 a big responsibility I have on my plate. We香蕉视频直播檝e mapped it all out, and we know what to do.香蕉视频直播
On June 9, the federal government announced that . The investment for 2025-26 will be over $9 billion.
Fuhr recently returned from a high-level delegation trip to Brussels with the Prime Minister and the Ministers of National Defence and Foreign Affairs. During the visit, Canada signed a new defence and security agreement with the European Union and took part in NATO meetings.
Fuhr said spent on defence by 2035.
He explained that the goal includes two parts: 3.5 per cent in traditional military spending, and 1.5 per cent in areas like infrastructure and economic development related to defence 香蕉视频直播 areas that Canada plans to leverage.
香蕉视频直播淧art of that defence and security agreement had a portion of it where Canada and the EU would work together on stockpiling critical minerals, and we have an abundance of that. The problem is we just don香蕉视频直播檛 have access to it. So if the Canadian government builds out that access, that香蕉视频直播檒l employ Canadians, and it will more than likely create revenue for the Government of Canada.香蕉视频直播
The spending on critical minerals and energy infrastructure would count toward Canada香蕉视频直播檚 defence contribution.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e building out the Canadian economy in a way in which it hadn香蕉视频直播檛 been built out before,香蕉视频直播 he said. 香蕉视频直播淭he rest of it (3.5 per cent), we香蕉视频直播檒l look in 2029 to see if the capabilities NATO is asking us for are being met with the spend, and we香蕉视频直播檒l evaluate it then.香蕉视频直播
Fuhr noted government has already made significant investment.
香蕉视频直播淭he previous Liberal government had doubled defence spending since 2015,香蕉视频直播 he pointed out. 香蕉视频直播淲hen (Stephen) Harper went out, the defence spending was below one per cent GDP. I think right now it香蕉视频直播檚 around 1.45 percent.香蕉视频直播
Canada, he said, is being recognized as a reliable partner 香蕉视频直播 and potentially a leader.
香蕉视频直播淚 would look at it as a re-emerging middle power. The United States seems to want to pull back, and I think it香蕉视频直播檚 creating a bit of a vacuum 香蕉视频直播 and other middle powers are looking for leadership. And I think Canada can fill that space.香蕉视频直播
Fuhr also touched on Canada香蕉视频直播檚 evolving relationship with the U.S.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e always going to have a relationship with the United States香蕉视频直播攂ut it香蕉视频直播檚 going to be a different relationship. I think the PM was pretty clear about that. We香蕉视频直播檒l work with the U.S. where we can and we香蕉视频直播檒l go our own way where we have to. And we have lots of friends.香蕉视频直播
That, he said, is backed by the optimism and goodwill he experienced in Europe.
香蕉视频直播淚 can香蕉视频直播檛 express how positive it was to come out of that with just such overwhelming sentiment towards Canada from our European friends. We were treated well and respected. Everybody there was really looking forward to working with Canada.香蕉视频直播
Fuhr, a retired Air Force officer, acknowledged that one of the biggest obstacles to military readiness is personnel.
香蕉视频直播淲e need to get our numbers up香蕉视频直播攖hat香蕉视频直播檚 a big part of moving forward,香蕉视频直播 he noted. 香蕉视频直播淲e need about, I think it香蕉视频直播檚13,000 more folks to bolster our numbers up to where we want to be.香蕉视频直播
Despite the shortfall, he said Canada continues to be a highly respected military partner.
香蕉视频直播淐anada is still very, very respected. We bring good capability to the relationships that we have. If there香蕉视频直播檚 a coalition of people out there, the team wants Canada to be there. That hasn香蕉视频直播檛 changed.香蕉视频直播
Fuhr sees Canada at a crossroads.
香蕉视频直播淚 think it香蕉视频直播檚 at a point now, and Canada has an opportunity, where we can start to fill a leadership role in the world where the States have just decided they want to step back. So I think that香蕉视频直播檚 very positive for us.香蕉视频直播