Canada is facing mounting pressure from its NATO allies to significantly increase its defence spending, prompting a comprehensive review of its current plans. Defence Minister David McGuinty revealed that Ottawa is undertaking a “top to bottom” examination of its defence budget, hinting at substantial changes on the horizon.

In a recent interview with European media outlets outside NATO headquarters in Brussels, McGuinty stated that the Canadian government will be making significant announcements regarding its alliance spending commitments in the very near future. He offered no specifics, but the timing strongly suggests these announcements will be linked to the upcoming NATO summit.

Minister McGuinty is currently in Belgium participating in a meeting of NATO defence ministers. The annual NATO summit, scheduled for the end of the month in the Netherlands, is expected to result in a substantial increase in defence spending commitments from member nations, putting considerable pressure on Canada to follow suit. This significant review and the promise of forthcoming announcements signal a potential shift in Canada’s defence posture, potentially marking a return to Cold War-era levels of spending.