Carney Vows to Modernize Canada’s Military, Reduce US Reliance

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged a substantial increase in defence spending, committing to achieve NATO’s 2% of GDP target within the current fiscal year, five years earlier than previously anticipated. In a speech at the University of Toronto, Carney articulated a vision for Canada to become more self-reliant in its defence, specifically emphasizing the need to reduce its dependency on the United States in light of a “dangerous and divided world.” This represents a significant shift from Canada’s historical approach to defence.
A key element of this new strategy is a massive investment in Canadian defence manufacturing, with billions of dollars allocated to support domestic companies and supply chains. This initiative is designed to address the current limitations of Canada’s military, including an aging fleet where only one of its four submarines is reportedly seaworthy. Carney also highlighted the changing nature of the US-Canada defence partnership, influenced by American protectionist measures, as a reason for greater domestic investment.
These pivotal announcements are strategically timed, occurring before Canada hosts the G7 summit and as NATO prepares for its own summit focused on defence expenditure. Carney’s commitment to “made-in-Canada manufacturing” and a drastic reduction in defence capital spending directed towards the US signals a renewed focus on national security and a more independent defence posture for Canada.