Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada and its NATO allies have committed to a new Defence Investment Pledge: investing 5% of their annual GDP by 2035. This pledge aims to strengthen both individual and collective security and aligns with Canada’s strategic defence and security priorities.
“The world is increasingly dangerous and divided,” Prime Minister Mark Carney stated in a press release. “Canada must strengthen our defence to better protect our sovereignty, our interests, and our Allies. These investments won’t just build our military capacity – they will build our industries and create good, high-paying jobs at home. If we want a more secure world, we need a stronger Canada.”
As part of the five per cent pledge, Canada will allocate 3.5% of its GDP to core military capabilities—enhancing the Canadian Armed Forces, modernizing equipment and technology, strengthening the defence industry, and expanding defence partnerships. An additional 1.5% of GDP will go toward critical defence and security-related infrastructure, including new airports, ports, telecommunications, emergency preparedness systems, and other dual-use projects that support both military and civilian needs. A progress review in 2029 will ensure allied spending remains aligned with the evolving global security landscape.
“Canada is a proud founding member of the Alliance,” Minister of National Defence David McGuinty stated in a press release. “In an increasingly unstable and unpredictable world, we are making the critical investments needed to keep Canadians safe, support our Armed Forces, and strengthen our role in Europe and on the world stage. The renewed Defence Investment Pledge to invest 5 per cent of GDP by 2035 reaffirms Canada’s strong commitment to our security, to our sovereignty, and to NATO.”
At the Summit, Canada and its Allies reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and the leaders agreed on the imperative for a just and lasting peace. Canada’s contributions to Ukraine’s defence and its defence industries, including Canada’s $2 billion in military assistance announced last week at the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, are included in our NATO contributions, as the security of Ukraine is critical to our collective security.
