Canada to seek to join AUKUS alliance, consider nuclear subs: Trudeau

By The Canadian Press on April 8, 2024.

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is exploring the possibility of joining the second phase of AUKUS, a U.S.-led alliance with the United Kingdom and Australia.

The initial pillar of the alliance, forged in 2021, was focused on developing nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.

Trudeau says Canada will consider whether it needs to purchase nuclear-powered submarines to better ensure it can defend Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic.

He made the comments today as the federal government released its long-awaited defence policy review, which is focused on better protecting Canadian sovereignty in the North.

The plan includes billions of dollars in new spending, but lacks a detailed plan to reach NATO’s spending target of two per cent of GDP.

The plan, which includes new submarines, long-range missiles and early-warning aircraft, will instead boost military spending to 1.76 per cent by 2030.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 8, 2024.

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