The United States has announced a pause in the longstanding Permanent Joint Board on Defense with Canada, citing Ottawa's failure to make credible progress on its defense commitments. The decision marks another strain in Canada-U.S. relations.
U.S. Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby's Announcement
In a social media post on Monday, U.S. Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby stated that the Department of War is pausing the Permanent Joint Board on Defense to reassess how the forum benefits shared North American defense. Colby wrote, 'A strong Canada that prioritizes hard power over rhetoric benefits us all. Unfortunately, Canada has failed to make credible progress on its defense commitments.'
Colby emphasized the need for Canada to move beyond rhetoric and invest in tangible defense capabilities. 'We can no longer avoid the gaps between rhetoric and reality. Real powers must sustain our rhetoric with shared defense and security responsibilities. Delivering on shared continental defense begins by recognizing our shared geography. Only by investing in our own defense capabilities will Americans and Canadians be safe, secure, and prosperous,' he added.
Reaction from Former Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole
Former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole criticized the move as 'profoundly misguided.' In a social media post, O'Toole said, 'This is profoundly misguided and quite strange coming right after the President's visit to China. Canada has been and will be an ally that shares values of liberty. As a Canadian whose grandfather deployed to Alaska for joint defence in WWII, I hope we don't lose sight of that.'
Canada's Defense Spending and Commitments
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has achieved NATO's 2% of GDP defense spending target, meeting the figure half a decade ahead of schedule. The administration allocated over $63 billion toward defense in the 2025–26 fiscal year and set new long-term goals for the next decade. Despite these efforts, the U.S. has determined that Canada's progress remains insufficient.
Background of the Joint Board
The Permanent Joint Board on Defense was established in 1940 as an advisory forum for bilateral defense cooperation between the United States and Canada. The pause signals a significant shift in the bilateral defense relationship, which has been a cornerstone of North American security for over eight decades.
The decision comes amid broader tensions between the two countries, including recent disputes over trade and foreign policy. The pause is expected to have implications for joint military planning and continental defense initiatives.
