If we’re not serious at NATO, we may not be treated seriously elsewhere.
We all have a friend like Canada.
You know, the friend who insists on going out to the fancy restaurant but is the last to reach for their wallet. That friend whose deeds never seem to match their words. Right now, Canada is that “friend” in too many major world capitals.
So what’s Canada’s excuse? Why another eight years?
Perhaps this is because our country is privileged to sit between two oceans and atop the United States. Maybe it’s a reflection of the absolute dogpile that is Canadian defence procurement. It could be that defence spending commitments today don’t bring vote commitments tomorrow.
Then again, the utter inability of the Canadian government to procure new military kit is a multi-government, multi-generational failure. From one of the world’s biggest militaries following the Second World War to a handful of aging planes anytime someone asks us for a hand. We’ve been more talk than action for awhile now.
And people are noticing. Important people.
Whatever you think of the possible future president, he’s quite easy to read. Indeed, Trudeau has already taken his course — and done all right in it. What’s more, the prime minister would gain the same esteem in Washington under the current administration, and around the world, for spending more on the military. If Canada fails on NATO now, with so much on the line, it will only lead to more pain later.
Sooner or later, people stop hanging out with that “friend.” NATO could very easily act as a proxy for other international groupings. Our membership in the G7 is a fluke of history. Our place in the G20 was rock-solid in the midst of the global financial crisis but has drifted as the worst of that crisis receded. If we’re not serious at NATO, we risk not being treated seriously elsewhere.
So call it “Trump Insurance.” Call it “the spot at the Big Boy Table levy.” Call it whatever you like. But spend the money.
Andrew MacDougall is a London-based communications consultant and ex-director of communications to former prime minister Stephen Harper.