Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants European allies to know that when Canada invests in the defense of North America and the Canadian Arctic, they benefit as well.

The Prime Minister directly linked Canada's work with the United States in defending the continent to Europe's security during a press conference on Friday at the Royal Canadian Air Force base in Cold Lake, Alta.

This event came at the end of a visit by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, during which Trudeau highlighted some of the investments and activities Canada is undertaking at home while leveraging its influence in Europe.

These commitments include investing billions of dollars in new military equipment and capabilities, including plans to purchase new fighter jets and upgrade the old North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) early-warning system in North America along with Washington.

Trudeau said, "Canada recently announced major investments to modernize our NORAD capabilities, which will contribute to strengthening NATO's northern and western flank."

This reassurance came in the context of current tensions with Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, as well as the increasing focus on Arctic security as rising temperatures rapidly make the region more accessible—and vulnerable to conflict.

But Trudeau's remarks also coincide with Canada's ongoing refusal to significantly increase military spending to meet NATO's goal of all members allocating 2 percent of their national GDP to defense.