Key Takeaways
- The United States has suspended the Permanent Joint Board on Defense with Canada, citing Ottawa’s insufficient progress toward a 5 % of GDP defence‑spending target by 2035 and its ongoing review of the F‑35 fighter‑jet purchase.
- A senior Pentagon official said Canada has not yet laid out a clear funding plan or committed money to specific projects needed to meet the NATO‑agreed 3.5 % direct defence spending plus 1.5 % for defence‑related infrastructure.
- Prime Minister Mark Carney and Defence Minister David McGuinty argue that Canada has already fulfilled its 2 % NATO commitment, announced an $80 billion five‑year increase, and is modernising NORAD and Arctic capabilities.
- The F‑35 review remains unresolved; critics warn that purchasing the jets while the U.S. maintains punitive tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and autos would be politically untenable.
- Opposition voices, including former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, acknowledge Canada’s past “free‑rider” reputation but praise Carney’s efforts to reverse it, while urging caution on major procurements until trade tensions ease.
Background of the Joint Board Suspension
On Thursday a senior Pentagon official briefed Canadian reporters in Washington, explaining why the United States decided to freeze the Permanent Joint Board on Defense. The official, whose name was withheld per agreement with The Globe and Mail, said the move stems from Ottawa’s failure to demonstrate credible progress on its defence commitments. The board, established in 1940 at the Ogdensburg summit, brings together military leaders and civilian officials from both nations to study major defence issues and make recommendations; it has not convened since 2024.
U.S. Expectations for Canadian Defence Spending
The official outlined the NATO‑agreed framework that emerged after former President Donald Trump’s 2023 push for higher allied contributions: members pledged to reach 3.5 % of GDP for direct military spending by 2035, with an additional 1.5 % earmarked for defence‑related infrastructure and industrial capacity. Canada, like most NATO allies, signed onto this target, but the Pentagon official said Ottawa has yet to present a detailed roadmap or lock in funding for specific projects that would achieve those levels.
Canada’s Recent Defence Investments
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Defence Minister David McGuinty have pushed back on the criticism, highlighting that Canada met its existing NATO obligation of spending 2 % of GDP on defence last year and announced an $80 billion increase over the next five years. McGuinty’s spokesperson, Maya Ouferhat, described the effort as a “generational uplift” that includes modernising the NORAD early‑warning system with over‑the‑horizon radar and acquiring twelve under‑the‑ice submarines to bolster Arctic security.
The F‑35 Purchase Review as a Point of Contention
A specific grievance raised by the Pentagon official was Canada’s continued review of the F‑35 fighter‑jet acquisition. In March 2023 Ottawa announced it would reconsider buying dozens of the jets after former President Trump launched a trade war against Canada and floated the idea of making it the “51st state.” More than a year later, the government has not set a decision date, and the official interpreted this hesitation as a lack of commitment to deepening bilateral defence integration.
Political Reaction from Canadian Leaders
Both Carney and McGuinty have dismissed the official’s remarks, arguing that the Prime Minister’s World Economic Forum speech in January—widely seen as a rebuke to Trump—demonstrates Canada’s resolve to chart an independent defence path. Carney contended that rapid technological shifts, such as AI‑driven drones prevalent in the Ukraine war, require more time to determine optimal spending priorities rather than simply adopting a five‑year‑old list of equipment.
Criticism from Opposition Figures
Former Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole, a former Royal Canadian Air Force captain, acknowledged that Canada had been a “free‑rider for way, way, way, way too long” on defence but praised Carney for turning that trend around. O’Toole maintained that the F‑35 remains the best aircraft for Canada’s needs, especially for continental defence in the Arctic, yet cautioned against proceeding with the purchase while the United States retains punitive tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, autos and other goods. He said it would be contradictory to acquire American jets while being treated unfairly in trade.
Strategic Implications for NORAD and Arctic Security
The Pentagon official’s remarks underscore broader concerns about the durability of the Canada‑U.S. defence partnership, particularly in the Arctic where both nations rely on joint NORAD operations. Canada’s announced investments in over‑the‑horizon radar and under‑the‑ice submarines aim to fill perceived gaps, but U.S. officials question whether these measures alone satisfy the agreed‑upon spending benchmarks without a clear, funded pathway to the 5 % GDP goal.
Outlook for the Permanent Joint Board
As of now, the Permanent Joint Board on Defense remains suspended, pending demonstrable progress from Canada on its defence‑spending plan and a resolution of the F‑35 review. The Pentagon official indicated that the board’s revival will hinge on Ottawa delivering a credible, detailed strategy that aligns with the NATO 2035 targets and addresses U.S. concerns over procurement decisions amid ongoing trade tensions. Until then, bilateral defence coordination may continue to operate through ad‑hoc channels rather than the formal standing board.
This summary condenses the reported events and statements surrounding the U.S. decision to freeze the joint defence board with Canada, highlighting the spending‑target dispute, the F‑35 procurement review, and the political reactions from both sides of the border.