Prime Minister Mark Carney has committed Canada to the biggest increase in military spending since the Second World War as part of a NATO pledge Wednesday designed to both prepare for the growing threat of Russian expansionism and to keep Donald Trump from quitting the Western alliance.

Mr. Carney and leaders of 31 member countries agreed to a joint statement at The Hague Wednesday saying they would raise defence-related spending to an amount equivalent to 5 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2035.

This would require an additional $50-billion in defence-related government spending every year – nearly doubling the existing budget to $110-billion in military expenditures by 2035. This year the Canadian government’s defence-related spending is due to exceed $62-billion.

“The world is increasingly dangerous and divided. Canada must strengthen our defence to better protect our sovereignty, our interests, and our allies,” Mr. Carney said. “These investments won’t just build our military capacity – they will build our industries and create good, high-paying jobs at home."