Discussion · Government Orders
Ryan Turnbull Liberal
“The previous Conservative government spent less than 1% on NATO. Our government reached the 2% target early and is investing over $80 billion in defence. The world is dangerous, and Canadians expect us to spend this money to keep our country safe. The Conservatives want to cut defence spending instead.”
“Madam Speaker, the question gives me the opportunity to point out that, under Conservative leadership, we were under 1% of our commitment to NATO. Under our government, we reached the 2% target way ahead of schedule, and way ahead of previous governments’ commitments, which is a good thing. My constituents in my riding want Canada to be safe and secure for the future. We know that, in today’s environment, in today’s world, which is more dangerous and divided, we need to make those investments in defence. It is unfortunate to some degree that the world is in that state, but those are investments that Canadians expect us to make. It is a shame that the Conservatives would not step up to make those investments at this time. They would claim some ideological stance on fiscal responsibility that makes no sense in today’s environment in order to cut back even further from defence investment. Our government has stood up, under our Prime Minister’s leadership, to invest over $80 billion in defence in the last budget, budget 2025. Those are important strategic investments in our national security.”
Madam Speaker, the question gives me the opportunity to point out that, under Conservative leadership, we were under 1% of our commitment to NATO. Under our government, we reached the 2% target way ahead of schedule, and way ahead of previous governments’ commitments, which is a good thing. My constituents in my riding want Canada to be safe and secure for the future. We know that, in today’s environment, in today’s world, which is more dangerous and divided, we need to make those investments in defence. It is unfortunate to some degree that the world is in that state, but those are investments that Canadians expect us to make. It is a shame that the Conservatives would not step up to make those investments at this time. They would claim some ideological stance on fiscal responsibility that makes no sense in today’s environment in order to cut back even further from defence investment. Our government has stood up, under our Prime Minister’s leadership, to invest over $80 billion in defence in the last budget, budget 2025. Those are important strategic investments in our national security.