OTTAWA — A new study puts Canada near the top of the pack on defence spending, dispelling a long-held belief we’re a “military miser.”

The report released Thursday by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives shows Canada is among the top 15 military spenders in the world, and the sixth biggest spender among the 28 NATO allies. Latest budget estimates show Canada is spending $21.2 billion in the 2009-2010 fiscal year — nearly 10% more than the year before.

Bill Robinson, a defence analyst with the Rideau Institute, said the government is throwing money at the military at the expense of other important issues like the environment. And he sees little to show for our investment in terms of enhanced global security.

“This myth we have about ourselves as insignificant military spenders is wrong,” he said.

Dan Dugas, a spokesman for Defence Minister Peter MacKay, said the military is grateful and more efficient with more stable, increased funding.

“It’s the hallmark of the Canada First Defence Strategy that this government is giving the military reliable projections of spending after years of neglect by the previous government,” he said.

The report shows the U.S. was the biggest military spender at about $607 billion, with China ($85 billion), France ($66 billion) and the U.K. ($65 billion) also ranking high.

kathleen.harris@sunmedia.ca