Canadian PM vows to boost defence spending and reduce dependency on US

Carney says Canada will hit Nato target of 2% of GDP five years ahead of schedule amid dangerous and divided world'

Mark Carney has promised to boost defence spending to its highest level in decades warning that in a dangerous and divided world", Canada must reduce its dependence on the US for defence.

Speaking at the University of Toronto on Monday, Carney said Canada would reach Nato's 2% military expenditure target this fiscal year - five years ahead of his previously announced schedule. For years, Canada has been viewed as a defence loafer and successive prime ministers have failed to bring the country's commitments in line with allies. A recent Nato report found that Canada spent an estimated 1.45% of its GDP on defence last year.