Poilievre Criticizes Trudeau’s International Standing, Avoids NATO Timeline Commitment
Pierre Poilievre, Conservative Leader, expressed his dismay over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s performance at the recent NATO leaders’ summit, criticizing Trudeau’s handling of demands to commit to meeting NATO’s defence spending target. Poilievre refrained from pledging to uphold Trudeau’s promise that Canada would achieve the two per cent of GDP spending on defence within eight years.
Poilievre remarked that Trudeau is viewed unfavorably on the global stage, describing him as being ridiculed by other NATO countries during the summit. He emphasized Canada’s current defence spending at 1.37 per cent of GDP, with plans to increase it to 1.76 per cent by 2030. Trudeau has assured reaching the two per cent target by 2032 without specifying how, dismissing the target as a simplistic calculation.
Regarding his own commitment, Poilievre stressed fiscal responsibility, stating he would only promise what he could deliver financially. He criticized Trudeau’s management of military spending, suggesting that while defence spending had increased under Trudeau, mismanagement had compromised effectiveness.
Under the Conservative government, Poilievre promised to prioritize fiscal prudence, eliminate waste in defence and procurement, and redirect savings to bolster the Canadian Armed Forces. He pledged to address what he described as a decline in Canada’s international standing under Trudeau, attributing it to ineffective spending practices and a failure to deliver meaningful results.
NATO leaders have highlighted the evolving global threat landscape, emphasizing the increasing challenges posed by countries like Russia and China.
