Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney signaled a shift in Ottawa’s defense posture, pledging to reduce reliance on the United States and boost domestic military investment, as he rallied support ahead of decisive parliamentary by-elections, CBC reported.

Speaking at the Liberal Party’s national convention in Montreal, Carney framed national sovereignty and defense independence as central to his political agenda, linking Canada’s military spending patterns to broader concerns over the United States reliability.

“The days of Canada’s military sending 70 cents of every dollar to the United States are over,” Carney declared, drawing strong applause from supporters.

Pivot away from US dependence

Carney’s remarks reflect growing unease in Canada over its longstanding defense procurement ties with Washington, particularly following tensions during the presidency of Donald Trump. Trade disputes, tariffs, and repeated rhetoric questioning Canada’s sovereignty have contributed to calls within Ottawa for a more self-reliant military strategy.

The prime minister’s comments suggest an intention to redirect defense spending toward domestic industry and diversify partnerships, rather than continuing a model heavily integrated with US suppliers and systems.

This shift comes amid broader geopolitical uncertainty, where Washington’s policy direction has been viewed by Canadian officials as unpredictable, raising questions about the durability of security and economic arrangements.

Sovereignty and defense at core of political messaging

Carney’s speech repeatedly returned to themes of sovereignty, resilience, and national unity, presenting military independence as part of a wider effort to insulate Canada from external pressure.

“United, we will build Canada strong… a Canada strong that no one can ever take away,” he said.

His remarks also referenced economic frictions with the United States, including retaliatory measures taken by Canadian provinces after US tariffs.

Carney warned that "the world’s changing, not gradually, but suddenly," stressing that Canada can no longer depend on past alliances, especially as "many of our former strengths, which rested on our close ties with the United States, have become our weaknesses now."

Citing trade tensions and "overcoming the initial shock of the betrayal," he emphasized that "hope is not a plan, and nostalgia is not a strategy," calling on Canadians to unite and "take care of ourselves" in a rapidly shifting global order where "the foundations of the international system… are crumbling."

The speech comes ahead of three key by-elections that could grant Carney’s Liberal Party a parliamentary majority, strengthening his ability to implement policy changes, including in defense spending, without significant opposition constraints.

A single victory would secure a slim majority, while additional wins would expand legislative control and potentially extend the government’s mandate until 2029.

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