QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Defence Budget
March 23, 2022
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate.
Canada’s defence budget represents around 1.4% of its GDP, which falls far short of its international commitments to NATO. The Prime Minister is on his way to the NATO summit in Brussels, and I’m wondering whether he has packed anything other than speeches in his suitcase, perhaps a firm commitment to increase Canada’s defence contributions.
Thank you for the question. I think the best, clearest and most transparent response is that you will get an answer when the budget is presented.
Did the Prime Minister compromise any commitments as part of his agreement with the NDP, for example, did he agree not to increase defence spending in order to get the NDP on board? Did the Prime Minister compromise our international commitments in exchange for the NDP’s help to keep him in power until 2025?
Thank you for the question. I have no information about any of that.
