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Conservatives support extra money for military, says Poilievre

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, holds a press conference in West Block on June 9, with his defence critic James Bezan, left, and foreign affairs critic Michael Chong, right. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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BY ANDREW MEADE

June 9, 2025

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre spoke to reporters in response to the government’s new defence spending plan, pledging Canada would meet NATO’s two-per-cent military spending target this fiscal year. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

In the wake of the promised $9.3-billion increase to defence spending, Poilievre, centre, said Conservatives will support additional money for the military, but said the government must present a budget. The Liberals have opted against tabling the traditional spring budget, saying one would come in the fall. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘We stand ready to work with all parties to put Canada first to defend our country,’ said Poilievre. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservative MP James Bezan, his party’s defence critic, answered reporters’ questions about NATO defence spending targets. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre said Canada’s military ‘has never been weaker,’ and blamed the ‘lost Liberal decade’ on poor defence choices. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre, centre, outlined his party’s plan to improve Canada’s defence posture, including addressing vacancies in the military, protecting the Arctic with more infrastructure, and supporting a ‘warrior culture’ in the military. ‘All of this is going to take money,’ he said, adding he supports ‘getting back to the two-per-cent target as soon as possible.’ The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Hill Times

Andrew Meade is The Hill Times’ staff photographer. A native of Fredericton, N.B., Meade has worked at multiple dailies in New Brunswick and has been published by news outlets across the country and internationally. He has been capturing the day to day on Parliament Hill for the paper since 2017. See all stories BY ANDREW MEADE