Canada faces 'massive challenge' as NATO eyes new 5% spending target: expert

When representatives of NATO nations meet in The Hague late next month, they're expected to dramatically hike the alliance's defence spending target for members — the one Canada is failing to hit already.

When Prime Minister Mark Carney attends the NATO summit next month, he'll likely be under pressure to commit to a new defence spending target of five per cent of national GDP. The meeting of NATO countries is scheduled to be held on June 24 and 25.

At the 2024 NATO summit in Washington, after a series of U.S. politicians blasted Canada for failing to meet its commitments, Trudeau pledged to reach the two per cent target by 2032. On Monday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he believes allied nations will agree at next month's gathering to a new target of five per cent. Annual NATO data shows Canada is still failing to reach its current commitment; defence spending amounted to just 1.3 per cent of GDP in 2024. Canada also failed to meet the alliance's target for equipment spending.