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The Big Story

Is Canada a NATO freeloader?

Nov 28, 2024
In this discussion, Richard Shimooka, a Canadian defense policy expert and senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, tackles the pressing issue of Canada’s defense spending and its NATO commitments. He highlights concerns over Canada being perceived as a ‘freeloader’ and the implications of not meeting the 2% GDP target by 2032. Shimooka examines the inefficiencies in military procurement and the challenges in personnel readiness, urging for critical reforms to bolster Canada’s military capabilities amidst global security tensions.
32:01

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Quick takeaways

  • Canada's failure to meet NATO's defense spending target has led to international criticism, fostering a perception of the country as a freeloader.
  • The inefficiencies in Canada's military procurement process hinder effective decision-making and resource acquisition, raising concerns about defense readiness and spending allocation.

Deep dives

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