Is the Government of Canada in a position to prevent the United States from adopting a missile defence program?
The Government of Canada is unlikely to change the military policies of the US. But the US does not want to be isolated internationally on this issue, as its concerted (and to date largely unsuccessful) efforts to sell missile defence to other NATO members, Russia, China and India shows. From the beginning, the US sought Canada s involvement in part to ensure that it has at least one credible ally. Moreover, even if Canada cannot alter the policies of the Government of the United States, that is no reason for our government simply to support them. In fact, Canada is more likely to enhance its international reputation by refusing to fall into line with misguided US military policies. Some proponents have suggested that Canada will be punished if it does not go along with the missile defence program. But the US would be limited in what it could do by its own security concerns and its own trade agreements.
