Conservative MP Michael Chong (Wellington-Halton Hills, ON) said possible cuts by the Canadian government on defence harm the country’s reputation on the world stage. .“And why we can’t defend ourselves,” tweeted Chong on Friday. .“Less defence spending means less ability to attract foreign direct investment.”.The Canadian government thought about cutting almost $1 billion from the annual budget of the Department of National Defence on Thursday — a demand the country’s top military commander said is prompting tough conversations within upper ranks. .READ MORE: Liberals looking to cut $1 billion from defence budget.“There's no way that you can take almost a billion dollars out of the defence budget and not have an impact,” said Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre. .“This is something that we're wrestling with now.”.Chong went on to say failing to meet NATO spending commitments is one of the reasons per capita GDP is in free fall. He added long-run GDP growth needs productivity growth. .Canada’s productivity growth is negative. That is because it does not spend enough on research and development. .He pointed out defence R and D leads to dual use technologies with huge economic benefits. An example he offered was the internet. .The internet was invented by the American military. The American military created the ARPANET in the 1960s, which turned into the internet. .When the Canadian government says it is not going to meet NATO’s 2% target, he said it implies it is not spending on military R and D. That is why Canada was excluded from Australia United Kingdom United States (AUKUS) in 2021. .AUKUS is about artificial intelligence, quantum computing and advanced cyber technology. It has large R and D funds with major potential. .By cutting defence spending, he said the Canadian government is “making a deliberate decision to cut us out of the benefits of this R&D.” He met with a former Australian prime minister recently. .He asked what it would take for Canada to join AUKUS. The former prime minister said 2%. .Other allies are taking note. A front page of the Washington Post in April indicated this. .Trudeau advised NATO officials Canada will never meet its defence spending target, according to a secret Pentagon assessment leaked in April. .READ MORE: Trudeau told NATO Canada will never meet its spending goal.“Widespread defence shortfalls hinder Canadian capabilities while straining partner relationships and alliance contributions,” said the Pentagon. .The Pentagon determined Canada’s widespread military deficiencies are harming ties with security partners and allies..NATO ranked Canada’s estimated 2022 defence expenditure as a percentage of GDP. It is delivering 1.3%. .It ranked 25th out of 29 members. One year after the Ukraine War began, Chong said this “borders on negligence.”.He concluded by saying now the Canadian government is cutting defence. This comes after the Ukraine War, threats from authoritarian states, allies’ criticism, and declining per capita GDP. .“The Trudeau government is failing Canadians on defence, security — and the economy,” he said.
