Peter MacKay: Canada has gone from a leader to a laggard to a liability on the world stage—but we don’t have to accept the status quo
Former Conservative defence minister Peter MacKay says the success of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s plan to expand the Canadian Armed Forces, aiming for NATO’s 2% spending target by year-end and 5% by 2035. depends on “strengthening our economic and military sovereignty” through rebuilding Canada’s defence industrial base, improving procurement and supporting personnel. He criticized decades of underfunding and over-reliance on allies, calling the military “a deeply atrophied institution.” MacKay emphasized boosting domestic manufacturing, especially shipbuilding, and ensuring adequate pay and benefits for recruitment and retention. He warned that Carney’s ambitions require strong political will and economic growth, calling it “the last best chance to restore some of Canada’s lost lustre and credibility in matters of defence and security.”
