By Li Ci

李赐

As one of the 12 founding members of NATO, Canada was once the so-called "backbone" of NATO. However, as the international situation develops, the country has rarely been able to "contribute" to NATO in terms of resources and capabilities and has been criticized by its allies for being unwilling to assume obligations, according to US media reports on November 7. Since taking office, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has attempted to make changes, emphasizing that Canada should take on a greater responsibility in NATO's collective security. However, this vision has largely remained unfulfilled.

据美国媒体11月7日报道，作为北约12个创始成员国之一，加拿大曾是北约所谓的“骨干力量”，而随着国际局势发展，该国在资源和能力方面已很少能为北约“出一份力”，被盟友批评“不愿承担义务”。特鲁多担任加拿大总理以来试图作出改变，强调加拿大应承担起在北约集体安全方面的责任，但这一想法在很大程度上是空中楼阁，难以落到实处。

Canada was a significant force in ensuring the security of North America and Europe and was regarded as a "middle power" among NATO members when NATO was founded. Canadian troops were stationed across Europe and frequently participated in NATO military actions. Following the end of Cold War, Canada began reassessing its defense spending and obligations and substantially reducing the size of its armed forces and military budget, which weakened its responsiveness to NATO operations. As a result, Canada's role in NATO has gradually become marginalized and it has shifted from being able to provide timely and large-scale support to being a marginal member.

北约成立之初，加拿大曾是维护北美和欧洲安全的重要力量，号称北约成员国中的“中等强国”。其武装力量广泛部署于欧洲，并频繁参与北约军事行动。冷战结束后，加拿大开始重新评估本国军费开支和防卫义务，大幅缩减武装力量规模和军事预算，对北约行动的响应能力大大减弱。由此，加拿大在北约中扮演的角色逐渐边缘化，从能够提供及时、大规模的支援转变为一个边缘成员。

Analyses from NATO and Canadian think tanks on the decline in Canada's military capacity indicate three primary causes.

北约和加拿大国内智库对加拿大军事能力的衰退进行分析后认为，造成此种局面的主要原因有3个。

First, Canada's military spending as a percentage of GDP has never reached the 2% standard set by NATO but has long hovered around 1.3%. The US and other NATO members have repeatedly urged Canada to increase its military spending.

首先，加拿大军费开支GDP占比始终未达到北约设定的2%标准，而是长期徘徊在1.3%左右。美国及北约其他成员国曾多次敦促加拿大提高军费开支。

Second, Canada's equipment modernization cannot keep up with global military technological advancements. It is reported that the Canadian government lacks the resolve to prioritize defense matters, resulting in delays, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and insufficient funding for equipment upgrades and procurement. Consequently, Canada's armed forces struggle to meet the demands of modern warfare, leaving the country at a disadvantage compared to other NATO members. This issue is particularly evident in naval construction, as Canada is currently unable to organize a fleet capable of securing the North Atlantic and Arctic regions.

其次，装备更新跟不上全球军事技术发展的速度。报道称，加拿大政府缺乏把国防事务作为优先事项的决心，在装备更新和采购方面存在拖延、官僚作风和资金不足等问题，致使加拿大武装力量几乎无法达到现代战争的要求，其能力与北约其他多个成员国相比处于劣势。这一问题在海军建设上表现得尤为明显，加拿大目前已无法组织起一支能够维护北大西洋和北极地区海域安全的舰队。

Third, Canada's national defense infrastructure and combat readiness are insufficient. Canada has proposed the goal of strengthening its presence in the Arctic and protecting its interests in the Arctic in its strategic documents. However, Canada's defense infrastructure lags significantly behind that of other Arctic countries like the US and Norway and it lacks the necessary polar ships and reconnaissance and surveillance systems.

再次，国防基础设施和战备水平不足。加拿大在战略文件中曾提出“加强在北极地区存在，保护本国在北极地区利益”的目标，但与美国、挪威等北极周边国家相比，加拿大的国防基础设施明显落后，而且缺乏必要的极地船只和侦察监视系统。

To revive its military strength, the Canadian government has decided to take a number of measures. First, it has pledged to increase military spending and it is expected to meet the standards set by NATO by 2032. At the same time, the Canadian government plans to purchase advanced submarines and other equipment for the navy and update advanced fighter jets and maritime patrol aircraft for the air force. Second, it will reform the defense procurement process so that Canada can obtain new technologies and equipment faster and more efficiently to meet NATO's evolving military needs. Third, it will adjust defense priorities and focus on the North Atlantic and Arctic regions to become an important force in maintaining security and stability in these regions. These measures all show that Canada hopes to re-establish its position in NATO's defense and thus enhance its voice in defense matters.

为重振军事实力，加拿大政府决定采取多项措施。一是承诺增加军费开支，预计到2032年达到北约设定的标准。同时，加拿大政府计划为海军采购先进潜艇等装备，为空军更新先进战斗机和海上巡逻机。二是改革防务采购流程，使加拿大能以更快速度和更高效率获得新技术和新装备，从而满足北约不断变化的军事需求。三是调整国防优先事项，把重点放在北大西洋和北极地区，成为维护两个地区安全与稳定的重要力量。这些举措均表明，加拿大希望在北约防务中重新确立其地位，进而提升防务话语权。

Foreign experts generally believe Canada faces considerable obstacles in implementing its plans to enhance its influence and position within NATO. According to a researcher at the Canadian think tank Policy Horizons Canada, the Canadian government has not specified how it will achieve its goals. For example, regarding the goal to raise defense spending to 2% of GDP, Trudeau has only mentioned the target without detailing a concrete implementation strategy. Given Canada's economic conditions, it would be challenging for the government to allocate substantial funds to the military. He added that the US-led NATO only wants to use Canada as a pawn in certain regional matters, without considering the potential consequences for Canada.

外国专家普遍认为，加拿大希望在北约中提升影响力和地位的计划，在具体实施上面临不少困难。一名来自加拿大智库“政策地平线”的研究员表示：“政府并未具体说明如何实现他们提出的目标。以将军费开支GDP占比提升至2%的目标为例，特鲁多只是提出口号，并没有透露具体实施手段。考虑到加拿大国内的经济状况，政府很难把大量资金投入军事领域。”他还补充说，“以美国为首的北约只想利用加拿大在一些地区事务上充当‘马前卒’，却从未考虑这些行动可能给加拿大带来的后果”。