Defence and Security

The United States is Canada's most important ally and defence partner. Defence and security relations between the two countries are longstanding, well-entrenched and highly successful. This relationship reflects a unique friendship, underpinned by close economic interdependence and common values that has evolved over the course of the last century.

From 2001 to 2006, Canada allocated $10 billion in new spending for national security investments. Canada’s 2008 budget has reinforced Canada’s commitment to security and defence whereby it stipulates an annual increase in defence spending of 2 per cent starting in 2011-2012, providing an additional $12 billion over 20 years. Moreover, the 2008 budget also allocates $43 million towards helping the Communications Security Establishment keep pace with new advances intechnology.

Border Security

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.

Canadians and Americans have a long tradition of working together to promote security and efficiency at our borders, to ensure that they remain open to trade and legitimate travellers, and closed to dangerous goods, people and other threats.

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.

• Canada-U.S. Border 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. Since 1958, we have worked shoulder-to-shoulder in the bi-national North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD).

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, notably in Afghanistan.

• National Defence and the Canadian Forces
• Canada-United States Defence Relations
• Enhanced Canada-U.S. Defence Cooperation and the Bi-National Planning Group
• Canada First Defence Strategy
• Canadian Forces: Current Operations

Fighting Terrorism

The Government of Canada's record on anti-terrorism is one of action and decisiveness. Since the September 11 attacks, Canada has achieved a strong state of readiness and has the tools to counter and respond decisively to acts of terrorism. Like other western democracies, we are not immune from the threat of terrorism and we are committed to working with our partners to fight terrorism..Cooperation between our domestic and foreign intelligence and law enforcement agencies is essential in investigating threats to national security.

• Canada’s participation in the international fight against terrorism
• Canada-U.S. Smart Border Declaration and Action Plan
• Canada’s Anti-terrorism Act
• Canada’s Public Safety Act, 2002

Canada’s Role in Afghanistan

Canada shares the global commitment to fighting terrorism and Canada recognizes the fact that the global community cannot allow terrorists to find a safe haven in Afghanistan or elsewhere. Canada is in Afghanistan at the request of the country’s democratically elected government and in accordance with UN resolutions authorizing a NATO-led multinational security force. It is for these reasons that Canada is part of the International Security Assistance Force, and why there are 2,500 Canadian troops deployed in the region.

The dedicated Canadians serving in Afghanistan deserve our support as they risk their lives to defend our national interests, combat global terrorism and help the Afghan people make a new start in a free, democratic and peaceful country.

• Canada’s Approach in Afghanistan
• Canada’s Priorities
• International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Mandate

NORAD: Two Nations, One Common Goal

NORAD has played a critical role in the defence and security of Canada and the United States for the past 50 years. NORAD is a binational military organization formally established in 1958 by Canada and the United States to monitor and defend North American airspace. 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 50^th 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.

• North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)
• Backgrounder: NORAD