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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Yes, as the United States of America has proven to be unreliable.
@B4QN6RZ5 days5D
I think that Canada should be spending more to effect a change towards greater peace in the world. We need to bring back something lije the peace corps. More conversation and cooperation among nations.
@B4ND9T9Conservative1wk1W
If we commited to 2% with Nato then we should honor that agreement, or withdraw from Nato and not expect help from Nato. If we don't require this security anymore, then reduce the amount of military funding.
@B4LFDDB2wks2W
Increase, but spend it on domestic research and manufacture of aerial drones and other modern technology (e.g. nuclear powered submarines to patrol the arctic which are produced at our own shipyards, creating domestic jobs and industry), as well as training/free military college for Canadians to receive military training as well as college/technical degrees. We should not purchase outdated diesel submarines and other absolutely useless equipment, nor should we purchase American military equipment at all considering they are no longer a reliable trading/military partner.
@B4GBPZV2wks2W
Decrease, and re-allocate the funds to other more prominent areas such as education, housing or healthcare.
@B49S87X3wks3W
Yes, if the spending is heavily monitored and the military can aid other parts of the country and not just spend on equipment
@B49S5T9Conservative3wks3W
I think this is heavily dependant on our relationship with the United States and the configuration of NATO. As of right now I think we should focus money on decreasing the deficit but if our alliances continue to weaken, military spending may need to increase
@B3XKVWX1mo1MO
the amount of spending right now for the military is enough but if a threat is posed and we are in need of more defence to keep our country safe then more money should be provided.
@B3VMBRB1mo1MO
They should use the funds they found to hire the thousands of newly trained CRA agents and put that into our military to fight and protect our citizens instead of spending money on punishing and taxing the hard working middle class
@9VHWJLTNew Democratic7mos7MO
Fund military health initiatives (better medical support for veterans, soldiers, etc.) more than military infrastructure.
I think the government should have a budget every 10-15 years, so the government doesn't end up giving the military millions of dollars in like 5 years and spend it all
@9TYFLTG7mos7MO
Increase, and deploy the military more regularly to combat the effects of climate change, both here and abroad.
@9T42CXP8mos8MO
Yes and no, the military is a important thing to spend money on just it shouldn't but in at least the top 3
@9GNXXXT1yr1Y
We should have goals and priorities laid out, such as replacing our aging fleets of air force, tanks, ships and submarines, as well as tackling racism, harassment and so forth to encourage recruitment of all different backgrounds.
@9FDR25L2yrs2Y
Yes, people who risks their life in order to save us should be paid more.
@9F2XS9M2yrs2Y
The government should only increase the military spending if necessary. Thankfully, Canada is fortunate enough to not have our military heavily involved, keeping many people safe. Therefore, I don't see a reason to increase the spending unless they are trying to upgrade aspects of the military.
@9DTTBXP2yrs2Y
Yes, Only if the military can help with other emergencies as well, such as natural disasters.
@99S7KGD2yrs2Y
Only increase spending if absolutely necessary to continue peacekeeping missions
@96M26763yrs3Y
Audit every dollar to ensure the military are not using surveillance to control the means.
@96GB8R63yrs3Y
Military should not decrease and government should increase
@969WBZX3yrs3Y
Decrease in a calm state, but increase when needed or in danger.
@94VP9NS3yrs3Y
Raise it to match our NATO treaty GDP obligation
@92L9KW7New Democratic3yrs3Y
only increase if we need to
@8ZG39VQ3yrs3Y
Decrease, but spend it on other things, like healthcare, food, accessibility for individuals, housing that's actually affordable, etc
@8Y2HF3Z3yrs3Y
only in areas where it is needed
@8WM34R64yrs4Y
it depends on there behave
@8VMXKNFNew Democratic4yrs4Y
Completely repurpose the military. We don't need one.
@8VJHXRW4yrs4Y
Ensure funding meets NATO requirements.
@8VH2MYFNew Democratic4yrs4Y
Increase but only to areas of military help with national emergencies and coast line protection.
@8V99D274yrs4Y
Increase, but only in that it increases wages, training and equipment for service members.
@8V8L4X34yrs4Y
increase and fulfill NATO obligations
@Steeviemac4yrs4Y
Increase, and increase the production of weapons, ships, aircraft, and military technology in Canada through Canadian companies.
@8TXVXML4yrs4Y
Decrease, end all foreign military activity abroad.
@8TVXHQW4yrs4Y
Spending isn't the issue. It is how the money is spent.
@8T47D4T4yrs4Y
Abolish the military. Canada doesn't need one. No one is going to attack us and we have defence treaties if they do.
@8PZG5QPConservative4yrs4Y
Increase to match inflation and increase capital acquisition for automation and reduction of personnel costs.
@8KM7QR54yrs4Y
Increase, but we should cut ties with the USA.
@8KHKLKY4yrs4Y
Remain as is, except provide extra resources for reservists program if national service is introduced.
@9BVGWZL2yrs2Y
Increase, but only until we are fully capable of defending the country
@9B5GBLJNew Democratic2yrs2Y
Increase, but specialize
@99RRV372yrs2Y
We don’t want war, but if another country attacks us, we need to be able to defend ourselves.
@99FCFKQ2yrs2Y
Long-range ICBM nuclear weapons of our own would deter any threats to our sovereignty. There's no need for much beyond that.
@998687X2yrs2Y
Spend enough to protect ourselves from things but not spending an excessive amount
@8VK3QDY4yrs4Y
Re allocate military spending so that it’s better used in the program of the military itself.
Make the reforms necessary to ensure confidence in the organization again. Tackle problems of systemic discrimination, as well as sexual harassment within it, which have plagued the organization's reputation (ex. Somalia Affair, Jonathan Vance investigation.) and make it a desirable place to serve again, and then we can talk about what spending measures are necessary, as we can't just throw money at it if there's a dwindling population of soldiers who are dissatisfied.
@8ZV5VLQ3yrs3Y
Recognize that we do not have a large budget for military and reallocate 2% GDP to a small and targeted force of highly trained special operations. This will make us look stronger on the world stage.
@9CS3LQGNew Democratic2yrs2Y
Increase, but keep manufacturing and shipbuilding within Canada.
@9D376ZC2yrs2Y
These military guys should not get pension.
@9ZK3JNS5mos5MO
I support an extreme overhaul, rebuild and expansion of the military, including the synthesis between the military, local militias and the nations emergency services.
@99J9L632yrs2Y
Maintain, but overhaul procurement systems
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