Former Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page says the federal government cannot afford to delay meeting its NATO spending target of two per cent of GDP by 2035. In an interview, Page stressed that Ottawa must develop a credible plan to reach the goal, warning that further procrastination would undermine Canada's credibility with allies.
No room for delay
Page, who served as Canada's first parliamentary budget watchdog from 2008 to 2013, argued that the government has already postponed the deadline multiple times. He noted that Canada's current defence spending hovers around 1.4 per cent of GDP, well below the NATO benchmark. The former budget chief emphasized that the 2035 target, set by the current administration, must be treated as a firm commitment.
Credibility at stake
According to Page, Canada's reputation among NATO partners is on the line. He pointed out that other member nations have increased their defence budgets in response to global security threats, while Canada has lagged. “We cannot rag the puck on this,” Page said, using a hockey metaphor to describe stalling tactics. “Allies are watching, and they expect concrete action.”
Page also cautioned against relying on optimistic economic growth projections to close the spending gap. He called for transparent accounting and regular progress reports to ensure accountability. The former budget watchdog suggested that Ottawa consider reallocating funds from other departments or introducing new revenue measures to meet the target.
Political reactions
The Liberal government has defended its approach, arguing that defence spending has increased significantly under its watch. However, opposition critics have accused the government of failing to prioritize military funding. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to meet the NATO target by 2030 if elected, while the NDP has called for a focus on peacekeeping rather than military expansion.
Page’s comments come as NATO prepares for its next summit, where defence spending commitments are expected to be a key topic. Canada has faced repeated pressure from the United States and other allies to boost its military budget.
