8.78°C Vancouver
Ads

Nov 25, 2024 5:54 PM - The Canadian Press

Justin Trudeau defends spending record on military amid fresh criticism

Share On
justin-trudeau-defends-spending-record-on-military-amid-fresh-criticism
He said the country is now on a "clear path" to spend the equivalent of two per cent of GDP on defence by 2032, something Canada committed to spend annually at the 2023 NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending his government's record on supporting national defence, following fresh criticism that Canada is failing to live up to its NATO defence-spending commitments.

Speaking at the 70th annual session of the NATO parliamentary assembly in Montreal, Trudeau said his government stepped up "big time" after it came to power.

He said the country is now on a "clear path" to spend the equivalent of two per cent of GDP on defence by 2032, something Canada committed to spend annually at the 2023 NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The Trudeau government is coming under renewed criticism from U.S. lawmakers for falling behind what other alliance members spend, with Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) saying at the Halifax International Security Forum over the weekend that Canada has to do better.

President-elect Donald Trump has bristled over other countries failing to meet the two per cent target, and in 2018 said it should be raised to four per cent.

Canada consistently ranks at the back of the pack among NATO allies when it comes to how much it shells out on its military as a share of its GDP, and is only expected to hit 1.37 percent of GDP this year, according to NATO estimates from the summer.

Latest news

toronto-man-pleads-guilty-in-connection-with-terrorism-financing-scheme
CanadaMay 15, 2025

Toronto man pleads guilty in connection with terrorism financing scheme

Khalilullah Yusuf, 36, of Toronto, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison by Ontario Superior Court in the largest terrorist financing case in Canadian history. Yusuf admitted that he launched online fundraising campaigns and transferred funds in both money transfers and cryptocurrencies to support the Islamic State. He also ran propaganda to justify terrorist attacks on foreign nationals in Afghanistan. According to the RCMP, Khalilullah Yusuf, a Toronto resident, funded terrorist activities abroad through cryptocurrency and money transfers between September 2019 and December 2022. Yusuf
surrey-resident-justin-simporios-wins-80-million-jackpot
BCMay 15, 2025

Surrey resident Justin Simporios wins $80 million jackpot

The winning ticket for the Lotto Max jackpot sold in Surrey, and which Surrey resident has won the $80 million prize, has been revealed. The BCLC announced the winner during a media event today. Surrey resident Justin Simporios won the $80 million prize. This is the largest lottery win in BC to date. It is also the largest amount won by a single person in Canadian lottery history. Simporios said that when he found out that the winning ticket was purchased in Surrey, he jokingly told his wife that he had become a millionaire and she told him not to joke. But when he checked the ticket numbers,
president-trump-claims-credit-for-india-pakistan-ceasefire
WorldMay 15, 2025

President Trump Claims Credit For India-Pakistan Ceasefire

US President Donald Trump, who took credit for the Pakistan-India ceasefire, took a U-turn on Thursday. He said in Qatar that he did not mediate between the two countries, he only helped. Trump said that I am not saying that I did it, but it is certain that I helped settle what happened between India and Pakistan last week. He said that there could have been a much worse situation between India and Pakistan, both of them had suddenly started firing missiles and we settled everything. Earlier Trump had said that he had told both the countries that if they did not make a ceasefire, America wo
pierre-poilievre-criticizes-liberal-governments-decision-not-to-present-spring-budget
CanadaMay 15, 2025

Pierre Poilievre criticizes Liberal government's decision not to present spring budget

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre (PWAH'-lee-ehv) has offered to help Prime Minister Mark Carney draft a federal budget. Poilievre says he wants Carney to ``steal his ideas'' as he listed off policies his party campaigned on in the recent election, such as cutting spending on consultants and foreign aid.   His remarks come a day after the Liberal government announced it will not put forward a fiscal plan until after the fall economic update. Parliament returns in a couple of weeks.
early-morning-stabbing-sends-two-to-hospital
BCMay 15, 2025

Early morning stabbing sends two to hospital

On May 15, 2025 at approximately 3:40 am, Langley RCMP responded to a report of a disturbance in the 19800 block of 56 Avenue. Officers arrived in the area and located two individuals who had been stabbed. Officers immediately rendered first aid and both victims were transported to local area hospitals for further assessment. A 33-year-old Langley man has been arrested and remains in Police custody in connection to this incident. The investigation is in its early stages and officers are continuing to gather details from the scene, said Sergeant Zynal Sharoom of the Langley RCMP. Anyone with in
ADS
Ads

Related News

ADS
Ads