Canadian Decisions in a Shifting North American Security Landscape

Since September 11th, 2001, the Bush Administration has overhauled the U.S. National Strategic Policy and restructured the Department of Defense. Much of this was in response to the war on terrorism and the newly placed emphasis on homeland defense. Other changes have been in the Washington staffing process for years awaiting an appropriate opportunity to be promulgated. Together these changes altered U.S. security relationships with its allies and especially with Canada. The establishment of U.S. Northern Command, the elimination of U.S. Space Command and the deployment of the National Missile Defense have significant implications for NORAD and the U.S.-Canadian security relationship. The paper's objective is to capture and evaluate, from an American viewpoint, the Canadian perspectives on these changes, their implications for Canada, and the pending decisions the Canadian government will consider. The paper examines the shifts in the North American security landscape the U.S.-Canadian relationship. It analyzes the Canadian security interests, the government's motivations and the public perceptions. The paper will explore the Canadian security and sovereignty issues, and implications of the realignment of unified commands, the risk of marginalizing NORAD, and the deployment of the U.S. National Missile Defense. Lastly, the paper will outline Canadian decisions in pursuit of its national security interests and its collective defense arrangements with the United States.