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.
Narrow down which types of responses you would like to see.
Show more types:
Narrow down the conversation to these participants:
Discussions from these authors are shown:
Voting for candidate:
These active users have achieved a basic understanding of terms and definitions related to the topic of Military Spending
@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.
expenditure on wars should be minimized. instead use the money to upgrade the country and living standards of its people.
Neither, I am satisfied with the current amount of domestic spending; however, we should not be funding the Ukraine at all
@9F4JB39Conservative2yrs2Y
There shouldn’t be need for fighting against other countries we should be mutual to benefit everyone
I think that we need to increase our military, but it should be done through civilian run militia's and and not a state funded military.
@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
Canada should only have a National Defence Force to protect our national borders.
@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
Increase and institute mandatory service for citizenship and franchise.
@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
@87V5TYY5yrs5Y
@87V5TYY4yrs4Y
Decrease, and we should dismantle the Military Industrial Complex
@8CN7P7L4yrs4Y
Decrease, but make it so we are still on top on military spending
@8KH79S24yrs4Y
Neither they should use it better and only increase during wartime and conflict.
@LangworthyUS9th4yrs4Y
Increase spending if needed also look at ways to cut waste as much as possible. Our military must be always striving for better readiness and effectiveness. We should be mindful of the taxpayers while making sure we have the best and strongest military in the world. Negotiating for better contracts with companies. Pulling the troops home from Afghanistan would save a ton of money so that would negate the need for increased spending while still strengthening our capabilites and effectiveness.
@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.
@87V5TYY4yrs4Y
Increase, but we should dismantle the Military Industrial Complex
@8T9PVS44yrs4Y
Only when we need an excessive amount of armory/weapons. When we are not in any wars there is little reason to give even more money, except maybe for research and experimentation with new weapons.
@87V5TYY4yrs4Y
Neither, but we should dismantle the Military Industrial Complex
@87V5TYY4yrs4Y
Decrease, and we should dismantle the military industrial complex
@8VJQ9QW4yrs4Y
The spending could use some slight trimming
@8XCJY2Y3yrs3Y
Increase, but allow for private and state funded militias.
@87V5TYY4yrs4Y
Decrease, and reform is need to prevent wasteful spending practices
@IINXMP4yrs4Y
Decrease, and begin signing contracts with more private militias and companies, as well as deploying the national guard.
@6HDD83R4yrs4Y
Increase, but only in countries where the U.S. is (with the approval of the U.S. congress) currently at war with. reduce the military personnel by half (only in military bases that are not in proximity to any armed conflict).
@8Q6C4Y44yrs4Y
Increase, but not too much until the debt is reduced
@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.
@87V5TYY4yrs4Y
Increase, but our procurement and other spending methods should be reviewed
@MSelvig3yrs3Y
Military Spending should be scrutinized for waste and abuse, then adjusted accordingly.
@87V5TYY4yrs4Y
Increase, but our procurement and other spending practices should be reviewed
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
Join in on more popular conversations.
