Canada Boosts Military Spending
Chrystia Freeman (#3 from the right) says Canada must boost its military and rely less on US support in the future. (Photo: Prime Minister's Office, Canada)
Canada’s Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland says Canada must rely more on itself and less on its southern neighbor. The country is now set to boost its military spending.
Canada’s Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland says Canada must rely more on itself and less on its southern neighbor.
Yesterday, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland gave a major speech in parliament, outlining a shift in Canadian security policy. She argues that Canada can rely no longer on Washington for global leadership and that she thus needs to increase her own military spending.
- Canadian diplomacy and development sometimes requires the backing of hard power, Freeland said, arguing that Canada can no longer rely on ‘the U.S. security umbrella’.
In her Tuesday speech, Freeland promised that there will be a substantial investment in the Canadian Armed Forces, however, experts say a budget boost must be significant to offset years of neglect, according to the Globe and Mail.
Today, Canada’s Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan will unveil a defence policy review, including a new blueprint for the military’s future, and also a long-term budget. Canada is a.o. set to upgrade its warships and fighter jets.