Introduction

Former Canadian ambassador to the United States, Derek Burney, has made headlines by labeling Canada as a “laggard” in defence spending, emphasizing the urgent need for the country to enhance its military capabilities to be taken seriously on the international stage, particularly by its American allies.

Criticism of Canada’s Defence Posture

In a revealing interview on CTV's Question Period, Burney criticized Canada's current defence posture, stating, “If we expect to get any attention in Washington on anything, we must undertake significant improvements in our defence capabilities.” He described Canada’s defence efforts as “dismal” and highlighted the disconnect between Canada’s aspirations and its actual commitments, especially under the looming pressure of U.S. foreign policy.

Context of U.S. Demands

His remarks come in the context of rising scrutiny of Canada’s defence spending targets, especially with the recent re-election of Donald Trump, who has been vocal about NATO members not meeting the alliance's guideline of spending 2% of their GDP on defence. Historically, Trump has threatened that the U.S. may not protect its NATO allies who fail to meet this target, leaving Canada’s military readiness under the microscope.

Government Commitment and Warnings

In response to repeated pressures, the Canadian government has pledged to reach the 2% target by 2032. However, Burney warns that the urgency of the current geopolitical environment demands a faster response. He stated, “Americans will not wait for eight years,” underscoring a pressing need for Canada to expedite its defence upgrades.

Current Defence Spending Estimates

Current estimates from NATO show that Canada plans to allocate only 1.37% of its GDP to defence in 2024. Although projections suggest a gradual increase to 1.76% by 2030, this ambitious trajectory is still far from the two percent goal. A recent report from the parliamentary budget officer indicated that to achieve the 2% target by 2032, Canada would need to nearly double its defence budget to approximately $81.9 billion annually.

Support from Other Former Officials

This call for increased investment in defence is echoed by former U.S. ambassador to Canada, Kelly Craft, who highlighted the critical nature of defence capabilities in the Arctic, especially concerning apprehensions regarding geopolitical rivals like Russia and China.

A Call for Resource Reallocation

Burney advocates for a reallocation of government resources to prioritise defence spending, suggesting that inefficiencies in other areas could be minimized. “We need a very explicit effort at cost-reduction in the basic government in Ottawa,” Burney emphasized.

Conclusion

With the stakes higher than ever, Canada faces a pivotal moment in reinforcing its national security framework and solidifying its role within global alliances. As geopolitical tensions rise and the landscape of international relations shifts, this is a clarion call for Canada to step up or risk being sidelined.

Stay Tuned

Stay tuned for more updates on Canada’s defence policies and their implications on both domestic and international fronts.