Mark Carney, the newly minted Liberal leader, isn’t mincing words. At a rally just outside Toronto, he dropped a bombshell that sent political shockwaves rippling across the country: Canada, he said, needs to brace itself for a world shaped by Donald Trump’s second act — and the growing threats to its sovereignty.
“In this crisis, we have to prepare for America’s threats to our very sovereignty,” Carney declared. “They want our land, our resources, our water — they want our country.”
It was a stark message from a man not known for fiery rhetoric. But Carney, a former central banker and global financial heavyweight, is sounding the alarm: a second Trump presidency isn’t just an American problem — it’s a Canadian one.
A Historic Shift Toward Defense Spending
If elected, Carney says a Liberal government will pour C$30.9 billion into defense over the next four years — a massive investment aimed at hitting NATO’s 2% of GDP target by 2030, two years ahead of schedule. That’s a major leap from where Canada stands today: just 1.37% of GDP goes to defense, well below NATO expectations.
So where will the money go? A good chunk of it will be used to fortify the North, a region increasingly in the crosshairs of geopolitical rivals. Melting ice is opening new shipping routes, and nations like China and Russia are eyeing Canada’s Arctic minerals and waterways. Carney’s message is clear: the North is not up for grabs.
Read Also: DHS Sends Deportation Notice to American-Born Doctor: ‘Leave the U.S. Immediately’
Boots, Drones, and Quantum Brains
The plan is broken into three key spending areas:
- Strengthening the Forces: More recruits. Better pay. New housing. A push to make military life more sustainable and attractive for Canadians willing to serve.
- Upgraded Arsenal: Think submarines and Arctic-ready icebreakers to keep a watchful eye on northern borders, plus self-propelled artillery and ground-based air defenses that can be deployed here or in Europe.
- Future-Proofing with Tech: Canada’s leadership in quantum computing and AI will be harnessed to give the military an edge — from autonomous vehicles to war games and intelligence analysis.
This isn’t just about buying new gear — it’s about rethinking how Canada defends itself in a rapidly changing world.
Indigenous Partnerships and the Arctic Reimagined
Beyond military hardware, Carney’s vision includes working with Indigenous communities to build sustainable infrastructure and energy projects in the North — not only to secure the territory but to make it a thriving place where people want to live and work.
He’s also eyeing closer ties with Europe on Arctic security — part of a broader plan to push back against Trump’s more isolationist and transactional foreign policy.
A Political Showdown on Defense
Carney’s main rival, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, is also making defense a central theme of his campaign. Just a day earlier, Poilievre laid out his own vision: NORAD upgrades, a permanent Arctic military base in Iqaluit, and restoring another base in Inuvik to intercept foreign threats.
At NATO headquarters, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio even suggested allies should aim for 5% of GDP on defense. Poilievre, while cautious on a number, said Canada should decide its own path — but hinted that a resolution to the ongoing trade dispute with the U.S. could free up resources for rebuilding the military.
Fighting Back on Trade, Too
Carney’s plan doesn’t stop at defense. He’s pitching a full-scale economic strategy to resist what he calls Trump’s “unjustified and reckless trade war.” That includes:
- Breaking down interprovincial trade barriers to boost Canada’s own economic resilience
- Protecting farmers and automakers hit hard by cross-border disputes
- Building new trade partnerships with Europe, Asia, MERCOSUR, and ASEAN
The goal? To build the strongest economy in the G7 — one that can stand tall even if Trump tries to bend Canada to his will.
Balancing the Books — Without Slashing Social Services
Interestingly, Carney isn’t going full spend-happy. He’s promising to balance the budget by 2028 — mainly by reining in public service spending and reducing reliance on consultants. But he also pledged to protect key services like health care, pensions, and employment insurance.
And as Canada prepares to take on the G7 presidency, Carney says he’ll use the spotlight to push for a rules-based international order — a veiled shot at the growing influence of authoritarian regimes and populist leaders.
TL;DR:
Carney’s throwing down the gauntlet. He’s calling out Trump, warning that Canada’s sovereignty is under threat, and unveiling a defense-heavy platform focused on Arctic security, tech-driven military upgrades, and building a resilient economy. Whether voters see him as a bold visionary or just fear-mongering remains to be seen — but one thing’s for sure: this campaign just got real.
