Liberal leadership contender pledges to hit 2% defence spending goal by 2030
Liberal leadership hopeful Mark Carney has pledged to accelerate Canada’s NATO defence spending, committing to reach the 2% of GDP benchmark by the end of the decade—two years ahead of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s current 2032 target.
Carney made the announcement during a campaign event in Windsor, Ontario, where he also unveiled plans for a middle-class tax cut.
Canada formally committed to the 2% NATO spending target in 2023, but has fallen far behind its allies, prompting increased pressure from U.S. lawmakers to step up defence investments.
Adding to the urgency, U.S. President Donald Trump has now suggested raising the NATO benchmark to 5% of GDP, a demand that could reshape the future of the alliance.
Carney’s defence commitment comes after Defence Minister Bill Blair, a supporter of Carney’s leadership bid, recently stated that Canada could reach the 2% target in just two years if necessary.
With NATO allies already meeting their commitments, Carney is positioning himself as the candidate who can restore Canada’s credibility on the world stage while strengthening its national security.