That's incorrect.
If I may, I think you made a mistake in your math by only comparing the Treasury Board refocus of spending on the new plan that was put forward. In fact, there is already, first of all, a very substantial existing defence budget being increased as a result of “Strong, Secure, Engaged”. Right through 2026, what you're going to see is a very strong upward trajectory of defence spending from the previous defence policy. That didn't go away. Those investments are committed and are still going to be made.
It's also important that, when we are spending hard-earned Canadian taxpayer dollars, we can demonstrate to them that we are being efficient in how we spend their money and that we're producing the best value for their investments. I think it's entirely appropriate that the Treasury Board has asked us and every other government department to look carefully at how we are spending the money and make sure we're contributing to real capability for the Canadian Armed Forces and to the supports we provide to the men and women who serve. We have been doing that work, and it is not without challenge. I'm not going to suggest.... I'm very grateful, by the way, to the chief of the defence staff and our deputy minister for the hard work they and their teams have put into finding the most efficient way to spend that money.
Then, in addition to that, you should also take into account in your mathematics that we've committed $38.6 billion to NORAD modernization. That's an enormous new investment in the defence of our continent.
Finally, through our new defence policy update, we've added additional money: $8.1 billion over the next five years and $73 billion.... Other things will be spoken of, as well, which will help with your mathematical equation. Ultimately, what this results in is a near tripling of defence spending. The document, as well, speaks to some of the other work that we have to do.
In Canada, we don't, like some of our allies, simply put out aspirational policy documents. We actually book the money to get the job done. When the money is not yet clearly identified and authorized.... As we said in this document, we still have work to do, but we have been very clear what that work is and what additional capability requirements we must acquire.
You talked about the sense of urgency. Let me also assure you that solving the recruitment crisis...because we cannot continue losing more people than we are able to intake. Turning that around is job number one—getting in the people we need to do the job and making our procurement processes more effective. I'm not trying to diminish the care we must take in spending taxpayer dollars, but we have to go faster and be more efficient in the way we get that job done, because the cost of maintaining our fleet of ships and planes is increasing over time. It is incumbent upon us to do a better job.