The changes that were introduced in 2017 allowed governments, including the Canadian government, to include veterans benefits and pensions for consideration in reaching the 2% target of NATO. It was an application that Canada made to NATO seeking to include that, and it was accepted by NATO. Other countries are also doing the same. They include veterans benefits and pensions in the calculation of their defence spending for the purpose of the NATO definition.
On June 21st, 2022. See this statement in context.