The non-profit Angus Reid Institute that does independent research has found that the percentage of Canadians prioritizing military preparedness has more than doubled over the past decade. NATO countries have a commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defence. To date 18 of 31member countries are at that level and Canada isn’t one of them. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put a sharper focus on NATO’s military readiness, and it appears the remaining 13 member countries have woken up to work towards the 2% goal. No Canadian government has hit the 2% defence spending mark since 1990 and it was at its lowest point under Stephen Harper’s government. Justin Trudeau’s government has increased the level somewhat, but Angus Reid research shows that more than half of us want us to increase our defence spending level to 2% or even beyond. Just under a third say we should maintain the current level of 1.38% and 16% of Canadians would reduce spending on defence. For the record, I’m in the “over half” crowd that would like to see us at least at the 2% level, and it’s not because Donald Trump has suggested that if he was president the U.S. wouldn’t protect any NATO country from Russian aggression if that country was not meeting its NATO spending commitment. If one follows the world news it only makes sense Canada should have an effective and prepared military and stop leaning on Americans to protect us just because we are literally attached to them.
That’ Coffeetalk. I’m Vic Dubois.