Blair defends Canada’s defence spending plan as ‘credible’ amid criticism – National

Blair defends Canada’s defence spending plan as ‘credible’ amid criticism – National

Defence Minister Bill Blair on Friday pushed back on U.S. critics of Canada’s defence spending, saying the eight-year plan to reach its NATO commitment was “credible and verifiable” despite reports saying otherwise. Speaking to reporters at the opening of the Halifax International Security Forum, Blair said “nobody has to argue with me” that Canada needs…

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How Trump’s NATO ambassador pick may bring ‘pressure tactics’ to alliance – National

How Trump’s NATO ambassador pick may bring ‘pressure tactics’ to alliance – National

President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of his former acting attorney general Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO likely signals a confrontational and “bullying” approach toward the military alliance he has long railed against, analysts say. That could present both vulnerabilities and opportunities for Canada, which has been under increased pressure to meet its…

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As PBO says NATO target plan is off, here’s why it matters to the military – National

As PBO says NATO target plan is off, here’s why it matters to the military – National

Canada’s defence spending shortfalls are having a real impact on the Canadian Armed Forces, a former military leader says, and revelations about “significant” errors in the government’s plan to increase that spending means those issues may continue longer than promised. Retired general Tom Lawson, who served as chief of the defence staff from 2012 to…

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