Search
AI-powered search, human-powered content.
scroll to top arrow or icon

{{ subpage.title }}

Canadian flag with missiles.
Luisa Vieira

Carney pledges massive military spending: What’s it for?

In 2023, the Washington Post embarrassed Justin Trudeau when it published a leaked Pentagon report bemoaning Canada’s “widespread defense shortfalls.” They were so bad, the paper said, they were “straining partner relationships and alliance contributions.”

For years, NATO allies were frustrated that the Canadians persistently failed to meet the 2% spending target that is supposed to be the cover charge for being a member of the world’s most powerful military alliance.

But this week, newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney sought to put an end to all of that, announcing a new defense budget of CA$62.7 billion between 2025 and 2026. That’s a 17% increase over the current budget, and it would get Canada to the NATO benchmark this year.

Read moreShow less

US President Donald Trump announces he has selected the path forward for his ambitious Golden Dome missile defense shield, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., USA, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Chris Kleponis/Pool/Sipa USA

Will Canada come under the Golden Dome?

Donald Trump wants to protect the United States from ballistic and hypersonic missiles with a “Golden Dome,” and Canada, officially, wants in. The details of the program and Canada’s role are still to be determined, but Trump says the total cost will be $175 billion (the Congressional Budget Office says more) and the project will be completed by the end of his term. Experts wonder whether such a defense system is even possible, given the technological difficulty of intercepting ICBMs and space-based launches. But the US president says Canada will pay its “fair share.”

Read moreShow less
Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand Discusses China's Spy Balloons & Crisis in Haiti | GZERO World

Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand discusses China's spy balloons & crisis in Haiti

On GZERO World, Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand spoke with Ian Bremmer on two pressing issues for Canada: China's spy balloons and the crisis in Haiti.

Despite a suspected Chinese spy balloon being shot down over the Yukon and the need for Ottawa to have an Indo-Pacific strategy, Anand acknowledges that the world is becoming "increasingly dark" as Canada must keep "eyes wide open" on China.
In terms of Chinese apps, Canada has already banned TikTok on government devices and Anand has extended the same ban to her own children.=

Read moreShow less

Subscribe to our free newsletter, GZERO Daily

Latest