'We have to do more': Foreign affairs minister on Canada's defence spending
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says she thinks that Canada鈥檚 military needs to be 鈥渂etter equipped鈥 and that the government has to 鈥渄o more鈥 when it comes to stepping up the defence budget.
In an interview on CTV鈥檚 Your Morning Friday about the ongoing Russian attacks in Ukraine, Joly said she is 鈥渆xtremely proud鈥 of the Canadian Armed Forces after seeing for herself earlier this year the Canadians training Ukrainians and leading the NATO mission in Latvia. But, she also thinks 鈥渢hat they need to be better equipped, better tooled, and quickly.鈥
鈥淚'm very much aware also that other countries have stepped up the defense budget, such as Germany, to face these challenging times, and I think that we have to do more,鈥 Joly said.
She made this comment in response to a question about her comments earlier in the week on 麻豆影视 Channel鈥檚 Power Play in which she said that , rather a 鈥渕iddle-size power" that is "good at convening."
Asked if Canada needs to increase its defence spending鈥攇iven it is currently spending approximately 1.39 per cent of its GDP and the NATO request is to be spending two per cent鈥擩oly said she thinks Canada needs to 鈥渁dapt to the times.鈥 In order to reach NATO鈥檚 two per cent of GDP spending target, Canada would have to commit to spend billions more annually.
Canada鈥檚 defence spending and contributions to Ukraine have been a central focus of the week, following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky鈥檚 Tuesday address to Parliament in which he called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to do more to help equip Ukrainians in their push to defend their country.
鈥淵ou have been a reliable partner to Ukraine and Ukrainians and I am sure this will continue. You have offered your help, your assistance, at our earliest request. You supply us with the military assistance, with humanitarian assistance. You imposed severe sanctions. At the same time, we see that unfortunately they did not bring the end to the war,鈥 Zelensky said on Tuesday.
These comments also come as the government is preparing the next federal budget, and there have already been signals that cabinet is considering upping Canada鈥檚 defence spending given the current global instability and potential for the Forces to play a larger role.
Joly said Canada鈥檚 鈥渞ed line鈥 remains responding in any way that would start an international conflict, but that Canada is 鈥渨illing to do everything possible up to that limit.鈥
鈥淲e need to make sure that we are protected as a country,鈥 said Joly, adding that she鈥檒l be working with Defence Minister Anita Anand and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on this.
In terms of what military lethal and non-lethal aid has been committed since Feb. 27, Canada has sent, or is in the process of sending to Ukraine:
- 4,500 M72 rocket launchers and up to 7,500 hand grenades;
- $1 million towards the purchase of high-resolution modern satellite imagery;
- 100 Carl-Gustaf M2 anti-tank weapons system launchers and 2,000 rounds of ammunition;
- 1,600 fragmentation vests and 400,000 individual meal packs;
- $25 million in helmets, body armour, gas masks, and night vision gear; and
- Two C-130J tactical airlift aircraft and a team of 40-50 personnel to deliver aid and support. 7
鈥淲e will provide more weapons,鈥 Joly said.
Earlier this week Anand鈥檚 office told 麻豆影视 that the government doesn鈥檛 intend to make further withdrawals from the Canadian Armed Forces鈥 inventory that would compromise the military鈥檚 operational readiness or training capabilities.
鈥淚n 2016, the Canadian Armed Forces acquired a cache of military equipment to provide to partners in times of urgent need. Canada recently delivered this equipment to Ukraine to assist brave Ukrainians fighting to defend their country鈥檚 sovereignty and independence,鈥 said Anand鈥檚 press secretary Daniel Minden in an email, adding that Canada is willing to provide additional equipment 鈥渇rom other sources.鈥
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