Good afternoon, Chair. Thank you for the opportunity to address this committee. I am speaking on behalf of Project Ploughshares, a Canadian organization that has been dedicated to matters of arms control, disarmament, Canadian foreign policy and international security for nearly five decades.
While Project Ploughshares does not delve into the intricacies of procurement processes, I wish to bring your attention to several overarching dimensions that warrant consideration when discussing the implications of procurement for the future of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Before I delve into these dimensions, I want to be clear that nothing I say here is meant to be interpreted as questioning the undeniable need for the effective preparedness of the Canadian Armed Forces. The primary roles of our military must be to protect Canadians and to advance constructive and robust foreign policy objectives that enhance collective security. This duty has the full support of Project Ploughshares.
Let's explore some of the key factors that directly or indirectly impact discussions and decisions on procurement.
The first is the changing nature of the security landscape and the need for clear and relevant policy direction. The world is in a constant state of transformation. Emerging technologies, environmental challenges and evolving threats are reshaping the very concept of security. As we discuss defence procurement, it becomes imperative that we establish clear and timely policy direction for the future priorities of the Canadian Armed Forces. While Canada's defence policy in the document “Strong, Secure, Engaged” was released six years ago already, in 2017, the rapidity of the evolving security environment requires continual adaptation.
Our military must recognize and align its procurement decisions with its evolving role in addressing these emerging challenges. Without a clear vision for the role of the Canadian Armed Forces in responding to existing and new challenges, procurement processes are at risk of being driven more by industry lobbying than by the actual needs of the military, resulting in higher costs yet less effectiveness.
The second is increased military spending and global implications. The trajectory of increased military spending and the rapid and continued growth of the arms industry present complex challenges. While security spending is essential, rapid growth in military procurement spending can inadvertently foster a broader military and industrial complex, which may have an outsized influence on key Canadian foreign policy and procurement decisions. We must, therefore, critically examine the consequences of this trend, not only for national security but also for global stability. Swift increases in military spending, both domestically and internationally, can contribute to a global arms race, heightening tensions and potentially elevating the risk of conflict.
The third is misconceptions regarding NATO's GDP-based targets for military spending. Beyond specific procurement decisions, and without denying the need to correct any structural deficiencies in the procurement processes, it bears noting that perceptions of Canada as a country with inadequate defence spending can be misleading and merit closer examination, as they are often based on the arbitrary metric of military spending as a percentage of GDP. This applies both to Canada's defence spending in isolation and relative to its NATO allies.
Even before the conflict in Ukraine, Canada's defence expenditures totalled more than $26 billion U.S. in 2021, ranking it as the sixth-largest contributor among NATO members. Put another way, Canada was actually part of the top 20% of NATO's military spenders. On a global scale, according to SIPRI, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Canada ranked as the 14th-largest military spender in the world last year, well within the top 10% of worldwide military spenders.
The fourth is balancing a healthy defence industrial base with responsible arms exports. While sustaining a reliable defence industrial base is undeniably essential, Canada must exercise caution in relying on questionable arms exports to support this goal, whether this happens as a matter of strategy, poorly implemented export control regulations, inertia or a combination of these factors. Our commitment to a responsible arms trade and effective export controls considerations must remain unwavering. Striking a balance between supporting domestic industries and upholding legal and ethical obligations is imperative. We must ensure that our exports do not inadvertently contribute to global instability or human rights abuses.
The fifth and last is establishing normative safeguards for new technologies. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, including innovations with military applications, Canada must proactively establish normative safeguards to prevent potential human rights violations and misuse. Embracing technological innovation will be an increasingly crucial element of procurement for the Canadian Armed Forces. However, it is equally imperative to establish a regulatory framework that upholds the rights of Canadians, respects international norms and ensures accountability.
Thank you for your attention.