Trudeau defends Canada’s military spending at NATO summit

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to the defensive over Canada’s military spending during his opening remarks at the NATO Summit Tuesday.

“When we took office, our GDP spending on defence was less than 1 per cent, and we vowed to change that right away,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland recently echoed those sentiments, pointing to Canada being the seventh largest spender in the alliance. “Our government has been steadily increasing our spending in defence because we recognize the threats in the world.”

“In the budget I tabled in April, we put forward a fully costed plan to get our defence spending up to nearly 1.8 percent in 2029.”

The NATO alliance is expecting a plan from the Trudeau government after it was agreed upon by all parties to spend at least 2 per cent of their national GDP on defence, which Canada has reportedly fallen short of the target heading into the summit.

This comes against the backdrop of growing Russian aggression in Ukraine, which the intergovernmental military alliance has been highlighting as a crucial reason to meet those targets.

On Monday, Moscow launched a wide-scale bombardment across multiple Ukrainian cities, which included air strikes on a children’s hospital.

Ukrainian officials say as of Tuesday, the death toll is at least 43 people.

[jamesl]

Thank goodness for Prime Minister Trudeau

[Kassiaterabbitslayer]

I dont care if we are 7th. We need to spend more on defense and innovations to support our alliea more and at home.

Re open the shipyards employ canadians and make sure our people, our allies, our shores are safe n protected

[CashMacGregor]

this clown had 9 years to get canada off the free rider list. whenever a politician falls short, they put the blame on the administration before they took office.

[mr.nimbus]

It makes me irrationally angry to even listen to him now.

[DeanRussell-bkkx]

No one believes a word he says anyway. The gas lighter extraordinaire

[novaguy]

He needs that money for all his woke BS spending.

[malcolmhamilton]

No Trudeau has a leg to stand on regarding the neglect they've shown our military.

[QcTinsmith]

Stop spending all our money on immigrants and diversity and start paying for our defence!! What’s wrong with this damn gouvernement 🤬🤬🤬

[Meg-cb]

Mr.Trudo, it is time to resign. The Canadian dollar has no value, you made Canadians poor.

[BudzzableRides]

Trudeau in no way whatsoever speaks for the people of Canada.

[angus]

“The NATO/US military industrial complex must be fed while we relentlessly displace the homeless in Canada”

[sjmusicforlife]

No one listens to wacko, not canadians or foreigners.

[triki]

412 millions for a air defence system for Ukraine when so many homeless people everywhere. That system was Kizaled right away!

[RudolphoAqui]

We as true Canadians realize due to putler’s aggression must increase our military productivity in a bipartisan effort to meet and beat the oncoming storm

[TerryKnight-hwpg]

The only news worthy story about Trudeau would be his arrest .

[aradesh]

Sure he defends military spending. He gets a cut.

[andyternent]

The Canadian Government is an embarassment to Canadians

[vimalpatel]

Not interested what he is saying....Stop spending out tax dollars rather invest within Canada for Canadians.

[jonathanczarnojan]

We will openly disregard our obligations that we agreed too. Take more responsibility!

[CanuckMyster]

Stop sending Ukraine money. And fix our military!!