As the United States retreats from being a unipolar power, the prevailing global order is at a crossroads. For Canada, it’s time to start thinking about what comes next and what it means for Canadian policy. The Hub is running a new essay series to grapple with these seismic changes and offer a new clear-headed direction for Canadian foreign policy.
For the first time in my adult life, Canada’s political class finally agrees: we must invest more in defence. Mounting global instability, growing threats to our sovereignty, and pressure from our allies have forced this long-overdue consensus. But throwing money at the problem isn’t enough. Meeting our commitments on the timeline our allies expect demands a full-scale, whole-of-government mobilization. The United States and NATO partners have made it clear that Canada must step up, particularly as global tensions rise and our sovereignty is increasingly challenged. Delay is not an option—our credibility and strategic partnerships depend on decisive action now.
If I were prime minister, here’s what I would do in the first 100 days to ensure Canada hits its 2 percent of GDP defence target within the year. The following letter lays out a path to fast-track procurement and prioritize strategic investments to rebuild our military readiness in a way that past efforts have failed to achieve. In an era of growing global instability, this plan would restore Canada’s credibility, secure our northern sovereignty, and establish a lasting foundation for national defence.
To: Clerk of the Privy Council
From: The Prime Minister of Canada
Subject: Achieving 2% Defence Spending in the First 100 Days
Mr. Hannaford,
The time for action on defence spending has arrived. The pressure from our allies, particularly the United States, has never been greater, and for the first time in decades, there is broad consensus within Canada that we must meet our 2 percent of GDP commitment to defence. This is no longer a question of if but how quickly and effectively we can deliver on this commitment. Business as usual will not be sufficient. This requires a whole-of-government approach, coordinated execution, and an unprecedented level of urgency.
To ensure we reach this target within the next year, I am directing you to establish an immediate action plan for the first 100 days of this government. The following steps must be implemented without delay:
1. Create a defence spending secretariat
A dedicated unit within the Privy Council Office will be established to track spending, identify bottlenecks, and ensure the efficient execution of this commitment. This secretariat will report directly to me on a weekly basis. This secretariat will also be tasked with the creation of an independent department of defence procurement.
2. Mandate letters to key ministers
The ministers of Defence, Procurement, Innovation, Science and Industry, Finance, Treasury Board, and Foreign Affairs will receive explicit instructions that enabling this spending is one of their top priorities. Each minister must develop and submit a plan within 30 days outlining how they will contribute to this effort.
3. Establish a cabinet committee on defence and industrial capacity
This new committee will be responsible for overseeing and driving decision-making to ensure that obstacles to meeting our 2 percent commitment are removed. This committee will be chaired by myself and will meet biweekly.
4. Retain our most capable public servants
Our most capable senior public servants across key departments must be directed to focus full-time on defence procurement, industrial expansion, and infrastructure investment. We cannot afford bureaucratic inertia; their sole responsibility will be to ensure the rapid and effective allocation of new defence funding.
5. Fast-track existing procurement projects
Projects that have been stalled in the procurement pipeline must be greenlit immediately. Pre-approved spending authorities must be granted where necessary to avoid unnecessary slowdowns. The Department of National Defence must submit an updated prioritized list of projects within 30 days, with a focus on initiatives that enhance the defence of Canada’s northern approaches. This includes a comprehensive review of Arctic defence capabilities, identifying necessary infrastructure investments to safeguard sovereignty, and ensuring that military presence in the region is strengthened.
6. Expand military recruitment and readiness
The Canadian Armed Forces must provide a plan to rapidly expand recruitment, induction, and training to ensure we have the personnel to operate the new investments being made. This plan should be delivered within the next 60 days.
7. Strengthen domestic defence production
Canada’s defence industry must be empowered to accelerate production. The minister of Industry will work with key stakeholders to develop a strategy to expand domestic manufacturing capabilities and reduce dependency on foreign supply chains.
8. Establish a defence industrial expansion fund
To support private-sector investment in shipbuilding, aerospace, and military manufacturing, a new fund will provide matching investment to accelerate growth. This must include the creation of a Dual-Use Accelerator Fund to encourage innovation in technologies with both military and civilian applications, ensuring long-term industrial sustainability. Provincial governments, particularly those with strong defence industries, must be engaged in this process immediately.
9. Stockpile critical supplies
A comprehensive audit of Canada’s military stockpiles must be conducted within the next 30 days. Immediate bulk purchases of munitions, spare parts, and other critical equipment must be made to ensure operational readiness. Additionally, the national procurement budget at the Department of National Defence must be increased to support the rapid acquisition and sustainment of these supplies. To do this, the Munitions Supply Program (MSP) needs to be modernized and expanded to meet current demands. Furthermore, we need to establish depots to stockpile munitions, ensuring that our forces have access to necessary supplies at all times. Additionally, the National Procurement budget at the Department of National Defence must be increased to support the rapid acquisition and sustainment of these supplies.
10. Implement a long-term defence investment strategy
This cannot be a short-term fix. The Treasury Board, in coordination with the Department of Finance, must create a framework ensuring sustained funding for defence beyond the next two years. Defence spending must become a permanent national priority. This strategy must include a long-term commitment to expanding domestic defence manufacturing, ensuring that Canada builds and sustains its own defence capabilities. The National Shipbuilding Strategy must transition to a continuous build model to sustain expertise, workforce stability, and industrial capacity. This sovereign capability must be maintained to ensure long-term resilience, readiness, and a skilled workforce that can support Canada’s naval needs without interruption.
For too long, Canada has treated its NATO commitment as an aspirational target rather than an obligation. That era is over. Our credibility on the world stage depends on our ability to meet this commitment, and this government will not fail in this regard. I expect weekly progress updates on these directives, with measurable benchmarks and timelines for implementation.
The excuses have run out. It is time to act.
Sincerely,
The Right Honourable Gregory MacNeil,
P.C. M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
