Government increases defence spending in budget

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

The federal government provided an additional $8 billion in yesterday's federal budget for defence spending.

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives states that Canada's military ranks the 13th highest in the world.

The latest increase in the budget still falls short of the 2 percent of GDP recommended by NATO but increases spending to 1.5 percent.

Earlier this week the federal government announced plans to replace the aging CF-188 fighter jets with the more advanced F-35 fighter jet. Canada plans to purchase 88 of the aircraft with a price tag of $19 billion.