What will it take to defend Canada? Experts say party platforms miss the target

There is an "anything you can do, I can do better" vibe to the defence policies of both the Liberals and the Conservatives, but a trio of national security and military experts say each of the parties are missing — or avoiding — the fundamental national security issue at stake in this election.

They say voters are likely asking themselves: What will it take for Canada to defend itself without — or possibly against — the United States?

The Conservatives released their costed platform on Tuesday, which included a defence component.

The Liberals dropped their slightly more detailed plan as part of their platform launch on Saturday, while many Canadians were either already at the advance polls or trying to enjoy the Easter long weekend.

What is striking is the similarities between both parties on some of the specific proposals related to the Arctic and northern sovereignty, and how they seem to be trying to top each other, said the experts.

While it's a demonstration of consensus on key points, there was a sense among defence observers that each party was trying to outdo the other on details such as how many Arctic bases are needed and how quick to buy airborne early warning surveillance planes.

The Liberal and Conservative policy planks, however, are significant for what they don't say and don't do at a time when, inarguably, the foundation of Canada's security has shifted.

They are both pledging to meet NATO's two per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) defence spending target by 2030, fix military recruiting, buy new submarines, build or upgrade bases in the Arctic and, oddly enough, buy heavy military icebreakers.

New Democrats released a policy statement that makes only passing reference to matters of defence with few specifics, pledging to cancel the F-35 fighter contract and vague references to investment in northern communities. The Green Party also pledged to strengthen Arctic security and "provide our armed forces with the specific capabilities they need for today's threats," as well as create a national civil defence corps.

Defence experts say they are focusing on the Liberals and Conservatives because they have the greatest chance of forming government.

"I think there's far more similarity than there is difference," said Dave Perry, president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute.

It is, he said, significant that the parties agree on meeting the NATO benchmark, which allies, including Canada, originally pledged to work toward in 2014 following Russia's invasion of Crimea.

"Canadians need to be aware that we've landed on actually living up to the set of commitments we promised to deliver on 11 years ago, just as our allies move on to a new set of commitments when it comes to the share of our economy we're investing in defence."

At the upcoming NATO summit in June, allies are expected to approve a higher threshold for investment in defence — perhaps as much as 3.5 per cent of GDP. U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants to see allies spending as much as five per cent of GDP.