Canada Meets NATO Defense Spending Target

0:00Canada has reached the 2% of gross domestic product target for defense spending for the first time since the Cold War ended. NATO's latest report shows the government spent just over $63 billion in 2025, meeting the alliance benchmark. Allies, especially the United States, had pushed Canada hard for years to boost its military budget. Prime Minister Mark Carney's team has acted fast over the past 10 months to hit the goal. In politics, Liberal Member of Parliament, Michael Ma, apologized for remarks that seemed to downplay human rights issues in China, clarifying he meant, the city of Shenzhen. Meanwhile, new Democrats are meeting in Winnipeg this weekend to pick a new leader after their worst election showing ever. The remains of two air-Canada pilots killed in a runway crash at LaGuardia Airport arrived back in Canada. Fellow aviators honored them with tributes in Ottawa and Montreal amid heavy rain. Separately, falling cocoa prices won't lead to cheaper chocolate for shoppers, as manufacturers

1:02hold firm on costs. Sports fans have their eyes on the Toronto Blue Jays, who host the athletics tonight in their 2026 opener. After a pitching overhaul and a near-miss in last year's World Series, they're set to chase another strong season. You've been listening to Vancouver News today, AI-powered local news.