Canada Commits to NATO’s 5% GDP Defence Target — What It Means for You
At the recent NATO summit in The Hague, member nations agreed on a bold new commitment: 5% of GDP on defence spending by 2035. It’s a dramatic step up from the previous 2% goal—and Canada is fully on board with its approach to Canada defence spending.
What’s the 5% Made Of?
This new target isn’t just about more tanks and jets. It includes:
- 3.5% of GDP toward direct military capability (troops, equipment, weapons)
- 1.5% for critical national infrastructure—like ports, cyber-defence, and emergency systems
- Progress reviews starting in 2029, with full rollout expected by 2035
Canada’s Role in the Big Picture
Canada currently spends around 1.3% of GDP on defence. But Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the country will scale up efforts, focusing especially on addressing Canada defence spending, particularly in:
- Northern infrastructure
- Digital security
- Critical minerals strategy (for defence supply chains)
Read Canada’s full commitment on Canada defence spending in this National Post report.
Why Now? What’s Pushing This Shift?
| Trigger | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Russian aggression | Ongoing threats in Ukraine and Europe have pushed NATO to act. |
| Cyber and AI threats | Modern warfare now includes hacking, surveillance, and AI-powered tools. |
| Burden-sharing demands | The U.S. has long urged other NATO countries to spend more on defence. |
U.S. President Donald Trump called the move a “historic win”, and NATO’s Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised it as a “transformational leap” for collective security.
Read the full NATO summit coverage on Politico.
Who Said No?
Not everyone’s on board. Spain refused to commit to the 5%, citing public spending pressures. Some critics also warn that combining infrastructure with defence may inflate numbers without adding real strength.
Dive deeper into NATO’s decisions with this Guardian live summary.
What This Means for You
Even if you’re not in uniform, this commitment affects you. Here’s how:
- Stronger cyber-defences will protect banks, hospitals, and transit systems.
- Infrastructure investments may create jobs in construction, tech, and logistics.
- More global stability can help keep trade routes, travel, and the economy more predictable.
Final Thought
This isn’t just about fighter jets—it’s about preparing Canada and its allies for a complex, fast-changing world. Canada defence spending will need to balance military needs with smart investments in people, tech, and infrastructure as NATO reshapes its goals for the future.
