Blair defends Canadas defence spending plan as credible amid criticism – National [Video]

Defence Minister Bill Blair on Friday pushed back on U.S. critics of Canada’s defence spending, saying the eight-year plan to reach its NATO commitment was “credible and verifiable” despite reports saying otherwise.

Speaking to reporters at the opening of the Halifax International Security Forum, Blair said “nobody has to argue with me” that Canada needs to spend more on defence, and that the federal government was making the necessary investments, but more international and industry collaboration is needed to reach the NATO spending target.

“I’ve told (our allies) they are pushing on an open door,” Blair said. “We are going to make those investments.

“We know that we need to do more, but it’s (about) getting there in a timely way. It’s going to require cooperation and collaboration with our closest allies, with industry and some really hard work by the Canadian Armed Forces.”

Canada is one of just eight NATO members not meeting the alliance’s benchmark of …