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Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada’s 31 NATO allies have formally agreed to a landmark defense commitment to raise military spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) over the next decade.
Carney emphasized that Canada is on track to meet NATO’s financial commitment and technical benchmarks.
The commitment represents the most significant increase in Canadian defence spending since the Second World War. The federal government says the military budget will double by 2035.
The 5 percent will cost Canada about $150 billion annually.
Meanwhile, Londoners had mixed reactions regarding the new NATO defence investment pledge.
“I have conflicted emotions about increasing investment in defense because I feel the money could be used in other ways. So my heart’s not with it 100%,” says one Londoner interviewed by The X.
“I believe the world is a scary place, and I think that we need as much protection as I support it, and I believe we need to be with the rest of NATO, to have as much support as possible right now, “ says another.
Some allies, including Spain and Slovakia, have rebelled against the new spending target.
