Canada Faces ‘Massive Challenge’ as NATO Eyes New 5% Spending Target: Expert

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attends a news conference at a NATO's informal meeting of foreign ministers in Antalya, southern Turkey, on May 15, 2025. The Canadian Press/AP-Khalil Hamra

When representatives of NATO nations meet in The Hague late next month, they’re expected to dramatically hike the alliance’s defence spending target for members—the one Canada is failing to hit already.

At the last NATO summit in Washington last year, allies lined up to call out Canada for failing to meet the alliance defence spending target of two percent of national GDP.