NATO Chief Urges Canada and Allies to Increase Defence Spending

Canada has not met the 2 percent target pledged to NATO since 2014

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in a joint press conference with Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ontario on July 15, 2019. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is urging Canada and all NATO allies to fulfill their pledge to increase defence spending to at least two percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

Referring to a 2014 agreement that commits allies to increase funding to “strengthen the military capabilities the alliance needs,” Stoltenberg said there is a need “to do more,” particularly in light of the current Russia-Ukraine conflict.