US documents leak questions Canada's NATO commitment

Significance

The documents indicate that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has privately told NATO officials that Canada will never meet its target for members to spend 2% of GDP on defence. If true, this would increase longstanding concerns among fellow NATO governments that Ottawa has little intention of upgrading military capacities despite global tensions.

Impacts

• Military procurement procedures will remain problematic, even if there were a significant increase in defence spending.
• Despite US requests, Canada would be unlikely to head an intervention in Haiti under either a Liberal or a Conservative government.
• Amid rising interest in the region, Canada will find it challenging to assert sovereignty in the Arctic given a lack of equipment.