General Jennie Carignan, Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, has made it clear: the next Prime Minister must prioritize military investment and the nation’s territorial integrity as global tensions continue to rise. Speaking during her recent interview on The West Block, Carignan emphasized the necessity for Canada to focus on defense, particularly as other countries have seen their sovereignty threatened during the past few years.
The backdrop to Carignan’s remarks can be traced to pressures from allies, especially from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has publicly criticized Canada's military spending. He claimed Canada "doesn’t have a military" and reiterated the need for NATO countries to significantly raise their defense budgets, reflecting his administration’s broader strategy to push allied nations to meet or exceed NATO's spending target of 2% of GDP.
Currently, Canada allocates about 1.4% of its GDP to defense, well below the NATO benchmark. Although the Liberal government has ramped up defense spending, projections indicate Canada aims to reach 1.76% by 2030 and eventually 2% by 2032. Carignan voiced skepticism about meeting this timeline, particularly as U.S. lawmakers have dubbed it insufficient.
“I think we need to pay attention to defense ... because we all know many sovereignties have been breached these past few years,” Carignan stated, noting the urgency for renewed focus on military capabilities amid geopolitical shifts. Trump’s recent remarks at the World Economic Forum echoed these sentiments, where he floated the idea of increasing NATO’s spending target to 5%. No NATO member state, including the U.S., currently satisfies this threshold.
With expectations of shortly replacing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Carignan urged the incoming leader to forge forward with existing defense strategies. "We were already on the course of accelerating spending," Carignan noted, pointing out the continuous efforts to modernize Canada’s military since the summer of last year.
One major initiative involves $40 billion dedicated to updating NORAD, the defense commitment shared between the U.S. and Canada. This modernization is increasingly prioritized due to the perceived threats from Russia and China, particularly concerning Arctic territorial claims.
During her interview, Carignan did not shy away from addressing concerns over personnel shortages within the Canadian Armed Forces, signaling her goal of meeting the target of 16,500 personnel by 2029. "If I can do it faster, I’m going to try to do just exactly this," she stated, underscoring her commitment to revitalizing recruitment efforts and enhancing retention methods.
Efforts to transform training processes have been underway for months, enabling the military to maintain high readiness and modernize its capabilities. Carignan’s strategic vision also emphasizes innovative procurement processes to secure necessary equipment more efficiently. “We are exploring various innovative ways to get those capabilities in an accelerated way,” she explained, highlighting the potential benefits of working closely with U.S. defense partners.
The looming uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration poses challenges for Canadian defense accords, including NORAD. Carignan acknowledged this shifting dynamic, expressing readiness to adapt Canada’s defense approaches should relationships with the U.S. become strained. “It will be about crafting maybe new ways for the defense of Canada, but we are not there at all yet,” she reflected, recognizing the importance of strategically preparing for any scenario.
General Carignan's tenure marks historic significance as she is the first woman to lead the Canadian Armed Forces, emphasizing her determination to combat the deeply entrenched military culture issues. Her leadership role reinforces the need for improved inclusivity and respect within the limits of military service.
Carignan's statements resonate with citizens concerned about national security and the capabilities of the military to respond effectively to both current and future threats. The call for heightened military expenditure must now translate to actionable strategies under the forthcoming administration.
With the ever-evolving global threats and partners’ expectations, maintaining and enhancing Canada’s military posture is not merely about numbers but entails comprehensive efforts to bolster the nation's readiness for what lies ahead. The stakes are clear: Canada must take responsibility for its sovereignty, even as it navigates complex international relationships.