Canada's new defence policy must move beyond old orthodoxies

The opinion argues Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for a rethinking of Canada’s international role and that the next defence policy must question reliance on NORAD/NATO and automatic integration with the U.S.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for Canada to join other middle powers on a principled and pragmatic international path, saying the rules-based order is under strain and Canada’s assumptions should be re-examined. The authors argue this makes the next Canadian defence policy the most consequential in at least half a century and that it must provide direction for a substantial influx of defence spending. They note the Defence Industrial Strategy has tied Canadian sovereignty and prosperity to the defence sector. Although the government promised a new defence policy last year, no comprehensive policy has yet been published. Key points: - Mark Carney has called for a radical shift in defence policy and for Canada to rethink how it engages internationally. - The Defence Industrial Strategy is described as anchoring Canadian sovereignty and prosperity in the defence sector. - The article identifies two foundational dogmas to question: defining Canadian defence primarily by NORAD and NATO contributions, and assuming deeper integration with the U.S. always increases Canadian security. - Current procurement practices are often designed to meet NORAD-plus-NATO commitments; the authors cite the planned purchase of 88 fighter jets as an example. - The piece urges broader attention to security threats in the hemisphere and a renewed role for multilateral institutions such as the United Nations. Summary: The authors argue a defence policy defined around national interests would reshape procurement priorities, encourage diversified partnerships, and support sovereign industrial capacity as a form of risk mitigation. Undetermined at this time.