Vincent Rigby on Canada’s Accelerated Defence Spending | CDA Institute
June 9, 2025 | In an interview for the Conference of Defence Associations (CDA) Institute’s Expert Series, Vincent Rigby reacts to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement that Canada will accelerate defence spending to reach 2% of GDP by the end of the 2025–26 fiscal year. Rigby unpacks the hurdles ahead—including the recruitment and retention crisis, slow procurement processes, and the complexity of aligning new investments with operational readiness. He warns that meeting the 2% target on this timeline will require more than just budget commitments; it demands structural reform and strategic clarity. Rigby also reflects on Canada’s delicate balancing act between diversifying its defence relationships and sustaining deep military integration with the United States, especially on continental security.
