Voting in the City of Nanaimo? Click here to use our Know Your Vote tool for a custom ranking of Mayor and Council candidates based on how much you agree, or disagree, with them on key issues.
By Canadian Press

Defence Minister Bill Blair says Canada working hard to meet NATO spending target

Feb 12, 2025 | 4:43 AM

BRUSSELS — Defence Minister Bill Blair says Canada is working hard to accelerate its defence spending to get to the two per cent threshold that it has committed to as part of NATO.

The minister is in Brussels to meet with NATO allies and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

U.S. President Donald Trump has complained that Canada is not meeting its NATO spending commitments and talked about Canada becoming the 51st state.

Blair called the 51st state comments “disrespectful and concerning.”

The minister pointed to Norad as an example of how Canada and the U.S. work together on continental defence.

annual give-back
Record Beach Fest donation given to Oceanside community groups
13h ago
Long Awaited Debut
Women's hockey program set to take flight at VIU
15h ago
Youth justice
Nanaimo youth sentenced for assaulting vulnerable classmate
Oct 10, 2026

He says Norad is an incredibly effective alliance where the two countries have worked together and that Canada has already committed almost $38.6 billion to Norad modernization.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2025.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

More Local News

annual give-back
Record Beach Fest donation given to Oceanside community groups
13h ago
Long Awaited Debut
Women's hockey program set to take flight at VIU
15h ago
Youth justice
Nanaimo youth sentenced for assaulting vulnerable classmate
Oct 10, 2026
new beginning
Revived Nanaimo Ambassador Program focused on leadership, community
Oct 10, 2026
Return to Form
Clippers snap two game mini slump with win over Capitals
Oct 10, 2026