A recent federal announcement about reaching a long-awaited NATO defence spending target within the next eight years is being criticized for a noticeable lack of specifics by organizations that will advocate this fall for Ottawa to deliver a more firm commitment. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization Leaders’ Summit was held July 9-11 in Washington, D.C.
Matthew Holmes, senior vice-president of policy and government relations for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, says 'We need to be seen as a critical partner and ally to our major partners, especially the United States, at this point in time right now, before the CUSMA review happens.' Photograph courtesy of Matthew Holmes “It felt like it was being done a little bit under duress and seemed to be, to a certain degree, pushing decision-making out and trying to buy time.