Defence Minister Blair concludes productive visit to Washington, D.C. for NATO Summit

July 12, 2024 – Washington, D.C. – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Yesterday, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence concluded a productive visit to Washington, D.C., where he and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, and Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre attended the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Leaders’ Summit – including meetings of the North Atlantic Council and NATO-Ukraine Council.

At the Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Blair announced that Canada expects to reach NATO’s target of spending 2% of GDP on defence by 2032. In a statement, Minister Blair noted that that this represents a credible, responsible, and achievable target date, which will allow Canada to ramp up its spending and procurement capacity on a realistic timeline. Minister Blair provided further details on Canada’s plans, noting that Our North, Strong and Free identified ten capabilities for which Canada will explore options. To reach the 2% target by 2032, Canada will invest in the right mix of these additional capabilities on the right timeline, implementing the vision outlined in this policy.

As part of Canada’s pledge to substantially increase its defence spending, Minister Blair also announced earlier this week that Canada is launching the process to procure up to 12 conventionally-powered, under-ice-capable submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy.

Minister Blair also welcomed the joint statement from the leaders of Canada, Finland and the United States on July 11, 2024 announcing an enhanced trilateral partnership called the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort, or ICE Pact.

In Washington, Minister Blair reiterated Canada’s steadfast support for Ukraine until its victory. Canada announced additional military assistance to Ukraine this week, including:

• Committing an additional $500 million in military assistance to Ukraine, as part of NATO’s pledge of long-term security assistance for Ukraine. This includes almost $444 million to the Department of National Defence to fund military equipment, assistance, and training for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), as well as over $56 million for the NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) Trust Fund for Ukraine to help rebuild the Ukrainian security and defence sector and advance Ukraine’s transition toward full interoperability with NATO. Canadian funding through the CAP also provides equipment for women in the AFU. These additional funds complement Canada’s existing military assistance to Ukraine, for a total of $1.1 billion this year.
• Supporting the launch of NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) in Wiesbaden, Germany, where NSATU will co-ordinate the provision of military training, equipment, and logistical support.
• Allocating up to $389 million to enhance F-16 pilot training through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Air Force Capability Coalition. Sourced through previously announced military funding, this commitment will support training for AFU pilots, and provide equipment to support Ukraine’s safe operation of F-16s.

Canada is also committed to supporting Ukraine’s drone capabilities. On behalf of Minister Blair, General Eyre signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with fellow members of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Drone Capability Coalition, co-led by Latvia and the United Kingdom. This MOU reiterates our collective commitment to supporting the development of Ukraine’s drone capabilities. Canada also signed the Ukraine Compact, a joint statement with G7 countries and partners, which reconfirms enduring support for Ukraine’s self-defence and deterrence capabilities.

While in Washington, Minister Blair met with Germany’s Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, and Norway’s Defence Minister, Bjørn Arild Gram. The ministers signed a trilateral Letter of Intent on establishing a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening maritime security cooperation in the North Atlantic.

Minister Blair participated in several side events to highlight Canada’s defence policy update, Our North, Strong and Free. On July 8, Minister Blair spoke at the Foreign Policy Security Forum – highlighting Canada’s investments in Arctic and Northern Security. On July 9, he joined Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister Joly, and representatives from NATO Allies to mark the official accreditation of the NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE), located in Montreal. On July 10, he spoke on a panel on Nordic Security as part of the NATO Public Forum, alongside the Defence Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, and the Foreign Minister of Iceland. The Minister highlighted Canada’s work to establish greater presence, reach, mobility and responsiveness in the Arctic and North. Minister Blair also attended a working dinner hosted by the Warsaw Security Forum on Programming for the Upcoming Challenges: Vision for NATO and Transatlantic Security.

As a founding member of NATO, Canada’s commitment to the Alliance is steadfast, including its principles of collective defence and burden-sharing. NATO ensures the security of more than one billion people, including Canadians, by providing a security guarantee that an attack on one Ally is an attack on all. Canada is committed to meeting its pledge, and to doing its part.