Canada’s Defense at a Crossroads: The Case for 5%+ GDP Military Spending

To: The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence

cc:

Admiral Pierre Vandier, Official account of NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, @NATO_SACT
Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO, @SecGenNATO
Defence Ministers of NATO Member Nations
Allied Commander Transformation (ACT), NATO’s home in North America, @NATO_ACT
Jens Stoltenberg, Served as NATO Secretary General and Prime Minister of Norway, @jensstoltenberg
Strategic Concept Development Team
MP for Carleton, @CPC_HQ leader, running to be Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, @PierrePoilievre
James Bezan, Conservative Shadow Minister for National Defence, @jamesbezan
Donald Trump, President of the United States, @realDonaldTrump
JD Vance, Vice President of the United States, @JDVance

From: Skills Gap Trainer (SGT)

Date: Jan 30, 2025

Subject: Urgent Call to Increase Canada’s Defence Spending to 5% of GDP: A Necessary Investment in National Security, Sovereignty, and Future Prosperity

Justification for Increased Defence Spending:

1. The Global Security Landscape Has Fundamentally Changed:

The End of the “Peace Dividend”: The post-Cold War era of relative peace is over. We have entered a new age of great power competition, characterized by rising authoritarianism, geopolitical instability, and the proliferation of advanced weaponry. The current global landscape, marked by escalating tensions and conflicts, necessitates a re-evaluation of Canada’s defense priorities. The post-Cold War assumptions of a stable and peaceful world order are no longer valid, and Canada must adapt to this new reality.
The Rise of Revisionist Powers: Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine, coupled with its significant investments in military modernization, demonstrate a clear intent to challenge the existing international order. China’s growing military might, expansionist policies in the South China Sea, and increasing global influence pose a direct threat to Western interests and values. The emergence of a multi-polar world, with powers like China, Russia, India, World Economic Forum (world government attempts to replace national government policy setting apparatus outside the direction and guidance of citizens) and others, asserting their influence, challenges the traditional dominance of Western nations, an the valuable social contract policy framework they guarantee and defend. Canada must be prepared to navigate this complex geopolitical landscape, and corporate alliance influence landscape, and defend its interests and the historical legislation protections passed through the ages by Canada as a nation state to the protection of it’s citizens, against potential adversaries, political or corporate.

Title: “Canada’s Social Contract: Preserving Rights, Freedoms, and Sovereignty in the 21st Century” https://x.com/SkillsGapTrain/status/1872197061824618624

The Weaponization of Everything: The nature of warfare is evolving rapidly. Adversaries are increasingly employing hybrid tactics that blur the lines between war and peace. These tactics include cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, economic coercion, and the use of proxy forces. Furthermore, the proliferation of advanced technologies, such as hypersonic missiles, autonomous weapons systems, and AI-driven warfare, has created a more complex and dangerous security environment. These new forms of warfare demand a shift in Canada’s defense strategy, requiring investments in advanced technologies and a more agile and adaptable military force.
The Return of Great Power Competition: The United States, while still a powerful ally, is facing its own internal challenges and may not always be able or willing to guarantee Canada’s security. The rise of populist movements and isolationist sentiments in the U.S. raises concerns about the reliability of long-standing alliances. Canada must therefore develop a more independent and self-reliant defense posture. The emergence of new power blocs, such as BRICS, further complicates the global landscape, requiring Canada to diversify its alliances and strengthen its own capabilities to safeguard its sovereignty.

2. Canada’s Current Defence Posture Is Inadequate:

Chronic Underfunding: Decades of under-investment in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have resulted in significant capability gaps. Current spending levels (approximately 1.3% of GDP) are insufficient to maintain a credible defense force, let alone modernize it to meet 21st-century threats.
Outdated Equipment: Much of Canada’s military hardware is aging and obsolete. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) still operates 1980s-era CF-18 fighter jets. The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is struggling with a dwindling fleet of aging warships, with the new surface combatants program not yet at a stage to produce the required results. The Canadian Army lacks modern tanks, artillery, and air defense systems.
Personnel Shortages: The CAF faces severe recruitment and retention challenges, with numbers far below authorized levels. This personnel shortage is particularly acute in critical areas like cyber warfare, intelligence, and technical trades. This erodes the operational capacity and readiness of our armed forces, leaving Canada vulnerable to external threats.
Limited Arctic Capabilities: Despite the increasing strategic importance of the Arctic, Canada’s ability to operate in this harsh environment remains limited. The lack of icebreakers, patrol aircraft, and Arctic-capable infrastructure hinders Canada’s ability to assert its sovereignty in the region.
Vulnerability to Hybrid Threats: Canada is ill-prepared to counter hybrid warfare tactics, such as cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and economic coercion. The lack of a comprehensive strategy to address these threats leaves Canada exposed to manipulation and subversion by hostile actors.

3. The Strategic and Economic Benefits of Increased Defence Spending:

Deterrence and Defense: A robust defense capability is essential for deterring potential aggressors and defending Canada’s sovereignty and interests. Increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP would send a clear message that Canada is serious about its security and willing to invest in the necessary resources to protect itself and its allies.
Meeting NATO Commitments: While NATO recommends a 2% GDP spending target, this is a minimum baseline, not a ceiling. A 5% target demonstrates a commitment beyond the bare minimum, reflecting the gravity of the current threat environment and contributing to a fairer burden-sharing within the alliance. A 5% level would free up resources from NATO and other allies, who would no longer have to fill in the gaps left by Canada. The would allow all of the allies to do more in their own specific geographic region, thereby enhancing the overall security of the entire NATO military alliance. 5% is logical for Canada, due to the increased difficulty rising from the vast land expanses which must be protected.
Economic Growth and Innovation: Investing in defense stimulates economic growth by creating high-skilled jobs in manufacturing, technology, and research and development. It also fosters innovation, leading to the development of dual-use technologies with both military and civilian applications. This is an investment not only in security but also in Canada’s future economic prosperity.
Protecting Critical Infrastructure: Increased defense spending can help protect critical infrastructure, such as energy grids, communication networks, and transportation systems, from cyberattacks, sabotage, and natural disasters. This is vital for ensuring the resilience of Canadian society in the face of evolving threats.
Supporting Domestic Industries: Investing in defense procurement from Canadian companies can strengthen domestic industries, particularly in aerospace, shipbuilding, and advanced manufacturing. This creates jobs, fosters innovation, and reduces reliance on foreign suppliers for critical defense technologies.
Enhancing International Influence: A stronger military and a more robust defense posture will enhance Canada’s standing on the world stage, giving it greater influence in international negotiations and a stronger voice in shaping global security policies. Othewise, CCP & WEF & WHO will set the policy and leadership of nation states, and the protections such as employment law, human rights, and everything Canadian politicians have done for 157 years will be erased from history. This is your history to protect, everything we have learned, and this decision is yours to make as to whether Canada will exist in the future. You make this decision now.

4. The Moral Imperative: Defending Freedom and Democracy:

A Bastion of Western Values: Canada has a long and proud tradition of defending freedom, democracy, and human rights. These values are not merely abstract ideals; they are the foundation of our way of life and the very reason for our prosperity and security.
A World in Peril: The global rise of authoritarianism, the erosion of democratic norms, and the increasing use of hybrid warfare tactics to undermine free societies pose a direct threat to Canada’s values and interests. Failing to adequately invest in defense is not just a matter of neglecting our military; it’s a betrayal of the principles upon which Canada was founded.
The Price of Complacency: History has repeatedly shown that appeasement and weakness in the face of aggression only embolden our adversaries. By allowing our defenses to atrophy, we invite challenges to our sovereignty and risk losing the very freedoms we cherish.
The Duty to Future Generations: We have a moral obligation to leave future generations a Canada that is secure, prosperous, and free. Investing in defense is an investment in their future, ensuring that they inherit a nation capable of defending its values and interests.

Conclusion:

Increasing Canada’s defense spending to 5% of GDP is not simply a matter of military strategy; it is a fundamental necessity for securing our nation’s future in a rapidly changing and increasingly dangerous world. It is an investment in our economic prosperity, our technological innovation, and our ability to defend the values and freedoms that define us as Canadians.

The current administration’s focus on policies that weaken our defenses, erode our sovereignty, and undermine our cultural heritage is a dereliction of duty. It’s time for a fundamental reassessment of our priorities, a recognition that our security and prosperity depend on our willingness to invest in a robust and resilient defense posture.

We, the undersigned, urge the Canadian government to take immediate and decisive action to increase defense spending, modernize our armed forces, and strengthen our national security. We must stand ready to defend Canada, its people, and its values against all threats, both foreign and domestic. This is not just a matter of policy; it is a matter of national survival.

Let us be clear: the defense of Canada is not a partisan issue. It is a responsibility that transcends political divides and unites us all as Canadians. It is time to put aside our differences and work together to build a stronger, more secure, and more prosperous future for our nation.

Call to Action:

We call upon all Canadians to join us in this critical mission. We urge you to contact your elected representatives, voice your concerns, and demand a renewed commitment to Canada’s defense. Let us send a clear message that we, as Canadians, will not stand idly by as our nation’s security is compromised.

Together, we can ensure that Canada remains a strong, free, and prosperous nation, capable of defending its interests and upholding its values in the face of any challenge. Let us rise to the occasion and secure a brighter future for generations to come.

This is our call to action. This is our moment to define what Canada stands for. Let us answer with courage, determination, and an unwavering commitment to our nation’s security and sovereignty. Have a good day friends.

Director Valentin @ SGT
Director John @ SGT