HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — During the annual Halifax International Security Forum, which gathers defense and security experts from Western nations, a U.S. senator expressed considerable skepticism regarding Canada’s military spending increase plans. Republican Senator Jim Risch from Idaho, who holds a key position on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, remarked that the president-elect would find humor in Canada’s current defense budget intentions, emphasizing the necessity for the nation to enhance its military investments.

As per NATO reports, in 2023, Canada was projected to allocate approximately 1.33% of its GDP to defense, significantly below the NATO standard of 2%. In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that Canada aims to meet this benchmark by 2032.

During a panel discussion, Risch questioned Canada’s slow approach, stating, “With all due respect, we are friends with Canada, but we wonder what ‘we’re working on’ truly means when they mention a timeline of 2032.” He elaborated that Trump’s immediate reaction would likely be laughter, insisting, “It needs to be more substantial than that.”

Bill Blair, the Canadian Defense Minister, acknowledged the need for increased military spending but emphasized the importance of securing value for the expenditures. “When our allies express their desire for us to fulfill commitments, I assure them that we are open to this direction. We intend to pursue these investments,” Blair commented.

Canada has plans to procure surveillance planes, helicopters, and replenish its ammunition stocks, with future intentions to acquire submarines as well. In light of concerns related to a potential Trump presidency, Trudeau has recently reinstated a special Cabinet committee dedicated to managing Canada-U.S. relations.

Kelly Craft, a former U.S. ambassador to Canada, commented during the last days of the U.S. presidential election season that Canada should expedite its timeline for meeting NATO obligations should Trump emerge victorious.

Retired Lieutenant General Andrew Leslie, who previously served in Trudeau’s government, voiced his concerns to a parliamentary defense committee shortly after the U.S. election, observing a lack of urgency from the Canadian government in fulfilling NATO commitments.

Following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, NATO allies agreed to cease budget cuts and aimed to reach a 2% GDP defense spending objective within ten years. At that time, Canada’s expenditure was below 1%. As the ongoing conflict in Ukraine became evident, NATO members reaffirmed that the 2% target should represent a minimum standard for defense allocations going forward.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has indicated that he anticipates around two-thirds of the alliance’s 32 member nations will meet the 2% GDP defense spending threshold this year, a significant increase from merely three nations achieving this target a decade ago.