Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a substantial increase in military pay as part of a broader effort to meet NATO's defense spending target of 2% of GDP. The government will invest approximately CAD 2 billion to raise military salaries, including a 20% increase in starting pay for privates in the regular force, 13% for lieutenant-colonels and below, and 8% for colonels and above. This pay hike is part of a planned CAD 9.3 billion boost in Canadian defense spending before the end of the fiscal year in spring 2026. Carney emphasized that these increases aim to revitalize recruitment and retention to strengthen force readiness and provide members of the armed forces with greater confidence and certainty. However, the announcement comes amid criticism and concerns over other government budget cuts and spending priorities, including a proposed 15% budget reduction for most government departments and controversy over CAD 4.2 billion allocated to decarbonizing the military. The pay raise covers about one-fifth of the total promised defense spending increase.