Security and Defence Cooperation
The United States is Canada's most important security and defence partner. Security and Defence relations between the two countries are longstanding, well-entrenched and highly successful. This relationship reflects a unique friendship, underpinned by common values and close economic interdependence that has evolved over the course of the last century.
Protecting Our Borders
Canada is committed to a safe, secure and efficient border. This is vital to Canada’s economy and to the safety and security of all Canadians. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) work closely together on day-to-day operational issues and intelligence sharing to prevent the entry of potential high-risk people and goods.
Border Action Plan
On December 7, 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama announced that Canada and the United States have agreed to implement an action plan designed to speed up legitimate trade and travel, improve security in North America, and align regulatory approaches between the two countries.
The Action Plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competiveness focuses on four areas of cooperation:
- Addressing threats early;
- Trade facilitation, economic growth and jobs;
- Integrated cross-border law enforcement; and
- Critical infrastructure and cyber-security
Detailed backgrounders on each area of cooperation and what the initiatives will mean are available at www.borderactionplan.gc.ca.
For more on Canada-US Security Cooperation:
Defence Relations
The United States is Canada’s most important ally and defence partner. Our defence relations are longstanding and well entrenched. We have been partners in the defence of North America since the Second World War.
Defence cooperation with the United States maximizes the security of Canadians as our nations continue to work together to effectively counter new threats to the continent. We are currently cooperating closely in support of international peace and security, most notably in Afghanistan:
- History of Canada’s Engagement in Afghanistan
- Canada’s Approach in Afghanistan
- Canada’s New Role in Afghanistan
NORAD: Two Nations, One Common Goal
For over 50 years, Canada and the United States have worked shoulder-to-shoulder in the bi-national North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD). NORAD is a bi-national military organization formally established in 1958 by Canada and the United States to monitor and defend North American airspace. NORAD plays a critical role in the defence and security of Canada and the United States. NORAD monitors and tracks man-made objects in space and detects, validates and warns of attack against North America by aircraft, missiles or space vehicles, and also provides surveillance and control of Canadian and U.S. airspace. Canadians and Americans under NORAD command were the first military responders to the September 11th attacks.
On May 12, 2008, NORAD celebrated its 50th anniversary, representing an example of outstanding Canada-U.S. cooperation and an effective organization in the defence of our two countries. NORAD is the longest-standing partnership in our collective histories, and the only agreement of its kind in the world. It remains a powerful symbol of trust and confidence between Canada and the United States in the common defence of our nations and our borders.
For more and Canada-US Defence Cooperation:
- The Canada-United States Military-to-Military Relationship
- Enhanced Canada-U.S. Defence Cooperation and the Bi-National Planning Group
- Canada First Defence Strategy
Canadian Forces: Current Operations - National Defence and the Canadian Forces
