Poilievre says Trudeau a 'human pinata' at NATO, still won't commit to spending goal

  • Canadian Press

Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks to the media during a press conference in Montreal, Friday, July 12, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Pierre Poilievre says NATO allies treated Prime Minister Justin Trudeau like a human pinata at the leaders' summit this week -- but he still won't commit to the alliance's spending goal.

The Conservative leader says Canada has lost its place on the international stage under the Liberal government, and Trudeau lectures the world without doing his part.

The prime minister announced Thursday that he expects to hit NATO's defence spending target in 2032 after facing days of pressure at the three-day meeting in Washington, D.C.

He did not share details about how Canada will get there.

Poilievre says the prime minister was just trying to save face among NATO allies who have agreed to spend at least the equivalent of two per cent of national gross domestic product on defence.

He says he isn't committing to meet that target because he doesn't make promises he can't keep.

This report by was first published July 12, 2024.