Investing in the health of those who defend Canada will pay long-term dividends

It's now more important than ever for the government to continue investing in four pivotal groups dedicated to supporting the physical and mental health of Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, public safety personnel, and their families.

National Defence Minister David McGuinty, centre, at a July change-of-command ceremony. As Ottawa evaluates defence spending priorities, it must not overlook the health of the people who provide safety and security to Canada, writes Senator Baltej Singh Dhillon and retired Brig.-Gen. Hugh Colin MacKay.The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY SENATOR BALTEJ SINGH DHILLON, HUGH COLIN MACKAY

September 24, 2025

The federal government has pledged to spend billions of dollars over the next decade to increase defence spending to five per cent of Canada’s GDP, in line with other NATO allies, to meet the challenges of an increasingly dangerous and divided world. As Ottawa considers...

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