While the government celebrates hitting the 2% NATO spending target, a significant gap remains between budget allocations and actual military capability. Simply pouring billions of dollars into the defence sector does not automatically equate to a more ready or effective military. Critics point out that Canada’s current readiness statistics are concerning, with force readiness levels falling well below planned targets in recent years. Without a transparent and detailed plan on how these massive investments will be managed, there is a real risk that the funds will be inefficiently spent, failing to address the core issues of personnel shortages, aging equipment, and procurement delays that have long plagued the Canadian Armed Forces.
Moreover, the lack of a clear financial roadmap for the ambitious 2035 targets raises serious questions about fiscal sustainability. As the government commits to spending hundreds of billions of dollars, the public remains in the dark about how these costs will be covered. Economists have warned that without a credible plan, the government may be forced to consider tax increases or significant cuts to other essential state obligations to balance the books. The experience of other nations shows that defence spending without fiscal credibility can quickly become a political liability. For the government to maintain public support, it must move beyond broad announcements and provide a rigorous, accountable breakdown of how it intends to finance its NATO ambitions without compromising the nation's broader economic health.