When we express 2026-27 defence spending as a proportion not of GDP, but rather of the federal government’s own spending, it amounts to far, far more than 3.1 or 4.1 per cent.
For the current fiscal year, defence spending will account for 16.5 per cent, or one sixth, of total government spending.
And if that sounds scary, it’s only going to get a lot scarier.
By 2030-31 the federal government projects that defence will gobble up a full quarter, 25 per cent, of what the government spends.
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I expect the federal government to be responsible for defense, foreign policy, representing Canada on the world stage, national projects.
Why wouldn’t defense be one of its largest expenditures?
Provinces are responsible for health care, education, a lot of infrastructure.
Municipalities for infrastructure, social services.
It’s wild to read these posts from people who don’t seem to realize that (ugh 🤮) Trump was right about NATO defense spending. Canada got lazy and comfortable and relied on the US waaaay too much for defense (and many other things).
If we can’t defend our own country ourselves, then we are truly fucked. We don’t live in a utopia. There are a metric fuck-ton of countries that would love our resources. Money needs to be spent to protect ourselves. Urgently.
Even a broken clock and all that.
Hopefully since war has seen a rather drastic change of late, our budgeted projects are on the side of current war tech, not old shit that’ll be slaughtered by the current stuff anyway.
Why send a $5,000,000 bomb when a $5000 drone and some Semtex accomplishes exactly the same task?
If they’re smart about the military build up, we could actually defend ourselves. Chances of them BEING smart for that are rather low though. I’d be surprised if it even nears a 1% chance.
The agreements signed with the Ukraine so we can share drone tech is promising. But based on our history, you’re correct. Very low chance.
Better build that southern wall quick.
We’ll make the Americans pay for it!
Well make them think it’s their idea…