Overview
- Undersecretary Elbridge Colby announced the pause Monday on X, citing a lack of “credible progress” and sharing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Davos speech to highlight a gap between words and action.
- Carney, speaking Tuesday, downplayed the move, said spending is rising and NORAD upgrades continue, and noted the board has not met since 2024.
- The Permanent Joint Board on Defense, created in 1940 under the Ogdensburg Agreement, advises on continental security and its suspension does not stop joint military operations.
- Canada hit NATO’s 2% spending mark in 2025, yet U.S. officials and some analysts say Washington wants faster delivery and may be pressing on procurements such as the F-35 fighter jets.
- The step drew criticism across party lines, with Canadian conservative Erin O’Toole calling it “profoundly misguided” and U.S. Republican Don Bacon warning it hurts a close alliance.