National Defence
How National Defence spent its budget in fiscal year 2023-24, on a Volume II appropriations basis.
Department Spending
In FY 2023-24,
$34.85B
was spent by National Defence
In FY 2023-24,
6.8%
of federal spending was by National Defence
The Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are responsible for ensuring Canada's security and defence through military operations, infrastructure management, and personnel support. Established in 1923 under the National Defence Act, DND oversees the defence budget, military procurement, and readiness planning, while the CAF executes domestic and international operations. The department provides strategic defence policy guidance and works with international allies, including NATO and NORAD, to ensure national security. DND also administers military health services, housing programs, and recruitment initiatives to support its personnel.
The Department of National Defence spent $34.85B in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This represented 6.8% of the $513.9 billion in total federal spending. DND ranked among the top federal departments in expenditures, largely driven by personnel costs, military procurement, and operational readiness efforts.
Federal spending may shift over time due to geopolitical tensions, defence modernization needs, and emerging threats such as cyber warfare. Since 1995, overall federal spending has risen 74.9%, while Department of National Defence spending has increased 59.9%.
DND's spending grew less than overall spending, meaning its share of the federal budget decreased. In 2024, the department accounted for 6.8% of all federal spending, 0.6 percentage points lower than in 1995.
Major legislation, shifts in international security dynamics, and acute events such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine or Arctic sovereignty disputes can influence military spending.
Most federal spending can be categorized as direct or indirect. Direct spending refers to money the federal government spends on budget items such as federal programs, employee salaries, and debt interest. Indirect spending refers to federal transfers to other levels of government.
Federal departments often include additional agencies, commands, and operational divisions. In FY 2024, the largest spending entities within DND were the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy, and the Royal Canadian Air Force, accounting for the bulk of military expenditures.
The Department of National Defence is led by the Minister of National Defence, who is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The minister is responsible for overseeing national defense policy, military operations, and procurement.
These Ministers are some of the cabinet members who serve at the Prime Minister's discretion. Their tenure typically ends when they resign, are replaced, or when a new Prime Minister takes office and appoints a new cabinet. Outgoing ministers remain in their roles until their successors are sworn in.
How did National Defence spend its budget in 2023-24?
Spending by entity, FY 2023-24
Department of National Defence
Communications Security Establishment
Military Grievances External Review Committee
Military Police Complaints Commission
$33.81B
$1.03B
$7.8M
$5.6M
National Defence’s share of federal spending
Percentage of federal spending, 1995–2025
Line items
Complete appropriation (vote/allotment) and transfer-payment lines, in dollars. Search, sort, and download the full table.
| Vote | Description | Total available | Used ▼ | Lapsed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vote 1 | Operating expenditures | $20,903,927,064 | $20,109,085,645 | $794,841,419 |
| Vote 5 | Capital expenditures | $7,193,635,910 | $6,583,516,855 | $610,119,055 |
| Statutory amounts | Statutory amounts | $5,558,602,582 | $5,547,451,398 | $11,151,184 |
| Vote 10 | Grants and contributions | $1,198,825,718 | $1,124,766,756 | $74,058,962 |
| Vote 1 | Program expenditures | $997,018,713 | $966,700,154 | $30,318,559 |
| Vote 15 | Payments in respect of the long-term disability and life insurance plan for members of the Canadian Forces | $446,727,532 | $440,763,417 | $5,964,115 |
| Statutory amounts | Statutory amounts | $62,524,640 | $62,500,589 | $24,051 |
| Vote 1 | Program expenditures | $7,773,244 | $6,945,128 | $828,116 |
| Vote 1 | Program expenditures | $5,278,391 | $5,081,060 | $197,331 |
| Statutory amounts | Statutory amounts | $816,961 | $816,961 | $0 |
| Statutory amounts | Statutory amounts | $553,222 | $553,222 | $0 |
Explore other federal departments
National Defence figures are on a Volume II appropriations basis and will not match the Volume I consolidated headline totals. See the methodology for details.
