SUMMARY — Defense Budget and Spending

Defense Budget and Spending in the Canadian Civic Context

The topic "Defense Budget and Spending" within the National Defense category examines how Canada allocates financial resources to its military and security infrastructure. This includes the federal government’s annual budget decisions, long-term spending targets, and the strategic priorities that shape the Department of National Defence’s operations.

Following the Money

In 2025, Canada committed to its largest increase in defence spending since the Korean War. The federal government announced $84 billion in new defence funding over five years, with a target of reaching 3.5% of GDP in core military spending by 2035. The Department of National Defence budget is projected to rise from approximately $34 billion in 2024-25 to $48 billion in 2025-26—a 38% year-over-year increase.