Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in Quebec on May 8, 2026 that the United States’ decision to suspend the Permanent Joint Board on Defense (PJBD) will not alter Canada’s trajectory on defence spending and capability upgrades. While the US undersecretary of defence policy framed the pause as a response to Canada’s alleged shortfall, Carney emphasized the board’s historic role and warned against over‑interpreting the move.

US Undersecretary Cites "failed to make credible progress" as Reason for PJBD Freeze

The pause was announced on Sunday by the US undersecretary of defence policy, who claimed Canada had not shown sufficient progress on its defence commitments. The statement linked the freeze to concerns that Ottawa had not met agreed‑upon milestones, despite Canada announcing it had finally hit the NATO 2 % of GDP target earlier this spring.

Canada’s Defence Budget Hits 2 % of GDP for First Time

Ottawa and NATO confirmed in March that Canada achieved the alliance’s 2 % of gross domestic product defence‑spending benchmark for the first time in a full year, a milestone the government has highlighted as proof of its commitment to collective security.. Carney noted that the budget increase will fund projects such as modernising NORAD radar sites and other critical infrastructure.

Historical Role of the Permanent Joint Board on Defense Since 1940

Established in 1940, the PJBD has served as the senior advisory forum for US‑Canada defence cooperation, though it has not convened since 2024. Carney reminded the audience that the board’s heritage spans eight decades, but its suspension does not impede ongoing joint military operations between the two nations.

Unanswered: Will the US Re‑activate the Board After Review?

The US said the board’s future is under review,but offered no timeline for a possible reinstatement. Analysts note that the lack of a clear roadmap leaves open questions about how bilateral coordination on air‑defence and Arctic security will be managed moving forward.

Open Question: How Will Canada Compensate for Reduced Bilateral Oversight?

With the PJBD frozen, Ottawa must rely on other mechanisms to maintain close defence ties with Washington. It remains unclear whether existing NATO channels or ad‑hoc bilateral meetings will fill the oversight gap, a point Carney declined to elaborate on during the press conference.