Canada joins new NATO Defence Investment Pledge Français
THE HAGUE, the Netherlands, June 25, 2025 /CNW/ - The world is increasingly dangerous and divided, with the rules-based international system under unprecedented pressure and global conflict becoming more frequent and volatile. To meet this moment, Canada and its Allies are building their defence capabilities to strengthen our collective security.
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced that Canada and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allies have agreed to a new Defence Investment Pledge of investing 5 per cent of annual GDP by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective security. The commitment aligns with Canada's own strategic defence and security goals.
As part of this 5 per cent pledge, Canada will invest 3.5 per cent of GDP for core military capabilities, expanding on our recent investments. That means further investments in our Canadian Armed Forces, modernizing our military equipment and technology, building up Canada's defence industries, and diversifying our defence partnerships. An additional 1.5 per cent of GDP will be dedicated to investments in critical defence and security-related expenditure, such as new airports, ports, telecommunication, emergency preparedness systems, and other dual-use investments which serve defence as well as civilian readiness. Importantly, the progress of this pledge will be reviewed in 2029 to ensure Allies' expenditures align with the global security landscape.
At the Summit, Canada and its Allies reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and the leaders agreed on the imperative for a just and lasting peace. Canada's contributions to Ukraine's defence and its defence industries, including Canada's $2 billion in military assistance announced last week at the 2025 G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, are included in our NATO contributions, as the security of Ukraine is critical to our collective security.
Quotes
"The world is increasingly dangerous and divided. Canada must strengthen our defence to better protect our sovereignty, our interests, and our Allies. These investments won't just build our military capacity – they will build our industries and create good, high-paying jobs at home. If we want a more secure world, we need a stronger Canada."
— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
"Canada is a proud founding member of the Alliance. In an increasingly unstable and unpredictable world, we are making the critical investments needed to keep Canadians safe, support our Armed Forces, and strengthen our role in Europe and on the world stage. The renewed Defence Investment Pledge to invest 5 per cent of GDP by 2035 reaffirms Canada's strong commitment to our security, to our sovereignty, and to NATO."
— The Hon. , Minister of National Defence
The Hague Summit Declaration
Canada and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca
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Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Full disclosure and I confess: I campaigned for the Democrats. Now, not every Democrat lacks a soul. Many of them are decent. But quite a few of them, as recent events make clear, have become willing hostages of Jew-hating, democracy-destroying, Hamas-fetishizing crypto-Nazis. As a volunteer on Democratic presidential campaigns – for Hillary Clinton in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024 – I was on the team that played against Donald Trump several times. In so doing, I learned three important things. One, Trump campaigned on killing free trade, and he's doing just that. 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The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Since the imposition of hefty U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, there has been an urgency to break down provincial barriers and strengthen the economy. However, when it comes to alcohol, the 'free' in free trade is not in the cards. Alberta has recently approved the direct shipment of B.C. wines into Alberta but with two new tax barriers: a $3 flat tax per bottle, plus an ad valorem tax. The added cost will push already uncompetitive prices to a level that will price B.C. wine out of the market. Long story short, Canadian wine growers face another national birthday without the ability to sell their products to Canadians outside their home province. Perhaps they should demand a pipeline for wine. But rather than focusing on something unlikely to change in any meaningful way, let's look at some Canadian wines to celebrate our 158th birthday. Today, we searched B.C. Liquor stores to identify a few bottles of wine grown in British Columbia that should be accessible at most shopping locations and ready to serve on Canada Day. On Vancouver Island, the Blue Grouse Pinot Noir 2022 is one of several Island wines that is grabbing attention. The industry is expanding at a rapid pace and is particularly redefining its standards for maximum quality. Island Pinot has its style, and many around the world wish they could copy it. Black Hills Nota Bene 2023 continues the long-standing tradition of this label, which has been a cult wine for decades and a high-quality red blend since the late 2010s. The deep freeze all but wiped out the vineyard, so new plantings mean this is the last Nota Bene for a while. Equally worth considering is the 2023 Bona Fide, now available in government stores. The 2022 Laughing Stock Portfolio red blend is surprisingly drinkable despite its youth, displaying the balance you expect from a high-quality vintage. This would be fun to have with barbecued beef. There are several roses you can count on for their bright fruit, fresh acidity and mostly dry finish, including Clos du Soleil, $26; Dirty Laundry Hush, $20; Mission Hill Reserve, $25; Phantom Creek, $28; Unsworth Vineyards, $26. Finally, celebrating on July 1 should involve sparkling wine and any of the following sold in B.C. Liquor stores will do the job: Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards Fitz Brut 2020, $39; Frind Winery Brut, $30; Blue Grouse Charme De L'ile, $29; Gray Monk Odyssey Rose Brut 2020, $26; Monte Creek Living Land Sparkling Rose Organic, $25; Evolve Pink Effervescence, $25; Red Rooster Brut Rose, $25 or the Black Hills Brut, $52. $36.50 I 92/100 UPC: 626990332053 The 2022 Blanc de Blancs does not disappoint. The 100 per cent Chardonnay, with aromas of morning bakery and white flowers, attracts you to a palate that is a citrus-driven mineral storm, with notes of peach and what the winery describes as a slightly salty, buttery popcorn character in the finish. This bottle will disappear quickly, so stay nearby once it is opened — first class. $31.39 I 91/100 UPC: 808755006236 The warmer-than-usual conditions have contributed to this Naramata Chardonnay that displays a slightly richer texture that matches its complexity. Orange, tangerine, peach and hazelnuts combine to complement the oak, resulting in a well-balanced, delicious Next World Chardonnay reminiscent of Leeuwin Estate in Western Australia. The price remains a rare Okanagan bargain. $35.99 I 91/100 UPC: 696852117418 Silky, ethereal and more vibrant than most Pinot Noirs, the red fruit and savoury forest floor notes speak to the three distinct terroirs in the blend: the warmer Saison Vineyard, the historic and established Kiltz Vineyard, and Blue Grouse's younger estate vines, which supply the tension and acidity. Peking duck, anyone? $50.00 I 91/100 UPC: 058976052899 The first sparkling wine from Black Hills impressed me, but the second release, based on 2019 fruit, is even better. This 79/21 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir offers more tension. The Chardonnay provides bright lemon and tangerine notes, complemented by floral scents, while the Pinot Noir adds texture, richness and red fruit flavours. After 40 months on lees, it has a creamy, chalky texture. This wine is harmonious in the glass. $53.99 I 91/100 UPC: 850451002104 The 2022 vintage marks Portfolio's 20th anniversary with a fragrant nose reminiscent of Napa reds, featuring notes of black cherry, cocoa powder, cedar, pipe tobacco and sweet oak on the palate. The wine has structure and texture but is surprisingly drinkable despite its youth. The tannins and spices suggest it will benefit from further bottle aging, making this an excellent investment. The blend consists of 51 per cent Merlot, 29 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, 10 per cent Cabernet Franc, 6 per cent Malbec, and 4 per cent Petit Verdot and can be enjoyed now through 2030. • U.S. wine exports to Canada, its largest customer, experienced a significant decline in April. Shipments drop by 93 per cent, representing the most significant year-over-year decrease in monthly data from the U.S. Census Bureau since 2002. Two factors spurred this decline: First, Canadian consumers and government agencies are boycotting American wine in response to U.S. tariffs. Additionally, the United Kingdom and China, the two largest markets for U.S. wine producers, also imported less in April. According to data from the United Nations, Canada accounts for about one-third of the total value of U.S. wine exports. • The B.C. Crab Fishermen's Association and the Chefs' Table Society of B.C. will host the False Creek Crab Fest on July 6, from noon to 5 p.m., at False Creek Fishermen's Wharf. The event features a Dungeness Crab boil prepared by chefs Vish Mayekar and Johnny Bridge, accompanied by local beverages. Enjoy live music, games and family activities. General Admission Tickets are $70 per person, plus taxes, while day-of admission is $75 per person, plus taxes. They are subject to availability. Tickets include one crab plate, a sweet treat and two beverage-tasting tickets. For more information, visit the official website at False Creek Crab Fest. $29.90 I 88/100 UPC: 626990241591 Stoneboat presents a new label from hand-picked grapes at the Miller Road Vineyard that had a long, cool four-week fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine exhibits nuances of tropical fruits, baked pear and lime rind. The palate features bright acidity with a fruit-forward mid-palate powered by 9.3 grams of residual sugar that seamlessly integrates into the acidity and finishes with notes of bitter lime and lemon curd. This wine is ready to drink and would pair well with creamy Thai dishes or barbecued prawns. UPC: 8005829986230 Prosecco rosé has made quite a splash at retail, and especially on hot summer days, its appeal is easy to see. This blend of Glera and Pinot Nero was vinified separately in steel, with the Nero undergoing 16 hours of skin contact to produce the pinkish hue. This aromatic, fruity fizz is all about heady orchard blossoms, aromatics and just off-dry red berries. In Italy, on a warm summer's day, they pour this over ice and add a slice of orange to the glass. Cin Cin.
