Question Period Note: U.S.- NATO Relationship

Canada's relationship with the U.S. following the NATO Leaders Meeting on December 3-4 in London, U.K.

• The U.S. is Canada's most important Ally. Our bilateral relations are strong, underpinned by our history, people-to-people ties, interwoven economies and shared values.

• The NATO Leaders Meeting sent a strong message of NATO unity through an agreed political declaration and agreement on several new initiatives. Allies also reaffirmed their commitment to Article 5 and to the Alliance's shared values.

• NATO remains central to Trans-Atlantic defence, and essential to international security and the rules-based international order.

• Canada takes its commitments to NATO seriously. We have contributed to every major NATO operation (currently leading in Latvia, Iraq, NATO maritime group).

• Our sizable 70% increase in defence spending does not yet include future investments that we will make.

At the NATO Leaders Meeting in London on December 3-4, Leaders came together to reaffirm NATO's core principles, including Allies' commitment to Article 5 and to the Alliance's shared values.

Canada is steadfast in its commitment to NATO and to Trans-Atlantic security. We are increasing our defence spending by 70% over ten years (2016 to 2026) and increasing our spending on equipment. Projected spending for 2024-25 stands at 1.48% of GDP (1.31% for 2019-20). Our defence spending levels do not yet include future investments that we will make.

Canada has contributed to every major NATO operation. We are currently leading NATO's enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup in Latvia; commanding NATO Mission Iraq for a second year; providing the flagship of the Standing NATO Maritime Group Two; and periodically deploying of CF-18 fighter aircraft to patrol European skies.

Canada's bilateral relations with the U.S. are strong. The U.S. is Canada's most important Ally. The Canada-US defence partnership is integral to continental security, and the breadth and depth of our relationship provides both countries with greater security than could be achieved individually.

None