Canada’s defense budget is currently $20 billion a year which is less than 1% of its GDP. This is much less than the $600 billion a year the U.S. spends and the $6.5 billion a year the UK spends. Only 5 other countries of the 28 in NATO spend less. To join NATO each member country pledged to spend at least 2% of their GDP on military spending and defense and defend each other against threats from any non-member country. In a July 2016 U.S. Presidential nominee Donald Trump suggested that the United States would not defend NATO member countries who had failed to increase their military budgets to above 2% of Gross Domestic Product. France, Turkey, Germany, Canada, and Italy are countries that are currently spending less than 2% of their GDP on military defense.
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@8TWDTHBConservative4yrs4Y
Yes, and capabilities in the north need to be prioritized and procurement must be rationalized.
@9YGJXM9Conservative6mos6MO
Generally it should be increased, but the goal should be to reduce the deficit. However, if there are situations where it is necessary to spend more on military, then it should be allowed.
@9M3PSVWConservative12mos12MO
It has the United States as an ally and NATO, which has the strongest military power, so, I would say neither.
@9J4XYKZConservative1yr1Y
If the citizens and government feel threatened at all by other countries, only then should military spending be increased.
@9QTMDJTConservative9mos9MO
The government should increase its military spending. We are too behind on our NATO and UN spending.
@9F4JB39Conservative2yrs2Y
There shouldn’t be need for fighting against other countries we should be mutual to benefit everyone
@96N4MQPConservative3yrs3Y
@8ZM99PRConservative3yrs3Y
It depends of how much the government would want to fund the military
@8Y9R7FFConservative3yrs3Y
Decrease, along with every other county. I know money is needed to protect and defend but one of the most eye opening quotes I heard said "If every country in the world stopped funding war for just 1 day, nobody in the world would ever go hungry again". That is just such a no brainer to me, obviously I'm naive and don't completely understand, I just think war is so childish and unnecessary. I know being greedy and wanting power is a part of human nature is why it is needed along with all the bad people that need to warded off with force. I just find it excessive.
@8WPDH43Conservative4yrs4Y
increase spending and training
@8RR2D5JConservative4yrs4Y
Yes, but with a focus on Peacekeeping and upgrading military equipment to modern standards.
@8PZG5QPConservative4yrs4Y
Increase to match inflation and increase capital acquisition for automation and reduction of personnel costs.
@9CBVH5CConservative2yrs2Y
Yes, the government should spend more to bring the military out of the past enough that people don't have to fear for their lives because they are flying or driving something from the 1990's
@99JVZ8NConservative2yrs2Y
I am satisfied with the amount that is spent
@98P34X7Conservative2yrs2Y
The Canadian military needs to increase their military spending by purchasing the best equipment possible. Canada citizens need to serve at least 3 years of service within the military from 18 to 45 years of age in order to be called a citizen of this country.
@9D3F3LGConservative2yrs2Y
If the money stays here than yes
@98ZL3DQConservative2yrs2Y
Funds should increase, but only into certain areas of military research
@8NM464G4yrs4Y
Increase, But we should focus on lowering the national debt.
@CSANC2644yrs4Y
Neither, decrease expending on foreign missions and military such as NATO and allies' defense.
@8HL5YXT4yrs4Y
increase the military spending so long as it doesn't increase the national debt.
@8RJ2TQK4yrs4Y
I think defense spending should be slightly reduced until we get the budget deficiet under control.
@63ZXW6N4yrs4Y
Decreased if possible and of course within reason and ensuring it still functions as it should.
@8VJQ9QW4yrs4Y
The spending could use some slight trimming
@8R7JPB54yrs4Y
Decrease, We need to revert to a defensive military only.
@8XSXMM63yrs3Y
Spend as needed and spend more efficiently.
@92MDVFR3yrs3Y
Stabilize military spending and audit the current budget more meticulously. Bribery and kickbacks notoriously infiltrate military spending.
@8Z4TXWG3yrs3Y
They should spend enough to keep military maintained and strong but no more unless war is a possibility.
@heatherdvdprincess3yrs3Y
Increase, and better prioritize mental health. Often, military members' psychiatrists are told not to diagnose them with conditions they have, because then the government would be required to pay to help them with the disorder, and the budget isn't big enough for that.
@4PRKPMG4yrs4Y
Always make sure our troops have what they need to do their jobs effectively. Never decrease in a way that undermines their ability to do so, but only increase for the sake of our troops having what they need to keep doing their jobs at peak efficiency.
@8QM9QMR4yrs4Y
Decrease, by bringing our troops home.
@MSelvig3yrs3Y
Military Spending should be scrutinized for waste and abuse, then adjusted accordingly.
@8MMFMZB4yrs4Y
Need to get rid of the military industrial complex.
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