https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/golden-dome-trump-us-missile-defence-canada-1.7539390

 

Canada wants to join Golden Dome missile-defence program, Trump says

Ottawa confirms it's talking to U.S. about major multi-year program

 

Alexander Panetta · CBC News · Posted: May 20, 2025 5:47 PM ADT

 

 

President Donald Trump says Canada has asked to join the U.S. missile defence program. (Nathan Howard/Reuters)

Donald Trump says Canada has asked to join the missile-defence program his administration is building, adding a new chapter to a long-running cross-border saga.

The U.S. president dropped that news in the Oval Office on Tuesday as he unveiled the initial plans for a three-year, $175 billion US project to build a multi-purpose missile shield he's calling the Golden Dome.

"Canada has called us and they want to be a part of it," Trump said. "They want to hook in and they want to be a part of it."

Canada will pay its "fair share," he added. "We'll work with them on pricing."

Ottawa confirmed it's talking to the U.S. about this. In a statement, the federal government cast missile-defence discussions as part of the overall trade and security negotiations Prime Minister Mark Carney is having with Trump. 

What this means is still extremely murky. It's unclear what, exactly, Canada would contribute; what its responsibilities would include; what it would pay; and how different this arrangement would be from what Canada already does under the Canada-U.S. NORAD system.

Refused to join

Canada has long participated in tracking North American skies through NORAD, and feeds that data into the U.S. missile-defence program.

But Canada never officially joined the U.S. missile program, which was a source of controversy in Ottawa in the early 2000s when Prime Minister Paul Martin's government refused to join.

That previous refusal means Canadians can monitor the skies but not participate in any decision about when to launch a hypothetical strike against incoming objects.

New developments have forced the long-dormant issue back onto the agenda. 

For starters, the U.S. is creating a new system to track various types of missiles — one more sophisticated and multi-layered than Israel's Iron Dome, intended to detect intercontinental, hypersonic and shorter-range cruise weapons. 

And this happens to be occurring as Canada's sensors in the Arctic are aging out of use. Canada has committed to refurbishing those sensors.

WATCH | Trump unveils missile-defence plan:

 

Trump says Canada asked to join U.S. missile-defence program

 

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday unveiled the initial plans for a three-year, $175-billion US project to build a multi-purpose missile shield he's calling the Golden Dome. He said Canada has asked to join the missile-defence program and that the country will pay its 'fair share.' There was no immediate comment from Ottawa.

The first public indication that these combined factors were fuelling a policy shift in Canada came in public comments made earlier this year in Washington.

One U.S. senator said, in February, that he'd heard interest in the missile program from a Canadian colleague, then-defence minister Bill Blair.

Blair publicly acknowledged the interest, saying that, given the upgrades being planned by both the U.S. and Canada, the partnership "makes sense."

But the form of Canadian participation is, again, unclear. The U.S. commander for NORAD appeared recently to suggest that Canada's participation will be limited to tracking threats.

One missile-defence analyst says it sounds like an extension of existing Canada-U.S. co-operation through NORAD. Still, says Wes Rumbaugh, it's interesting that Trump chose to draw attention to it. Trump mentioned Canada's role several times, unprompted, during his announcement Tuesday.

 People watch as a missile is test-fired from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on May 30, 2017. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

As for the president's three-year timeframe, Rumbaugh calls it a longshot. He predicts that only part of the system could be built in that period, and that it will take more years, and more funding, to complete.

It could take much, much more funding. The Congressional Budget Office estimates this project could cost hundreds of billions more than the $175 billion US figure cited by the president. 

• Analysis
  An 'Iron Dome' for North America? Talk heats up about Canada joining U.S. missile defence

• Defence minister accelerates 2% NATO spending timeline to 2027 amid pressure from Trump

"This is still a significant challenge," said Rumbaugh, a fellow in the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank in Washington.

"We're talking about sort of a next-generation and a widely enhanced missile-defence system. We're talking about a step-change evolution in American air and missile defence systems that will require significant investment over potentially a long time period."

Nearly three hours after Trump's announcement, Ottawa confirmed the discussions are happening. An evening statement from Carney's office said Canadians gave the prime minister an electoral mandate to negotiate a comprehensive new security and economic relationship with the U.S.

"To that end, the Prime Minister and his Ministers are having wide-ranging and constructive discussions with their American counterparts," said the statement. 

"These discussions naturally include strengthening NORAD and related initiatives such as the Golden Dome."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexander Panetta

Alexander Panetta is a Washington-based correspondent for CBC News who has covered American politics and Canada-U.S. issues since 2013. He previously worked in Ottawa, Quebec City and internationally, reporting on politics, conflict, disaster and the Montreal Expos.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

 

 

 

 

moto maniac <motomaniac_02186@yahoo.com> wrote:

Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 00:16:49 -0700 (PDT)
From: moto maniac
Subject: I am a Maritmer living in beantown
To: joharv@vcn.bc.ca

The forwards should explain me to you. this one is part of a second wave to Parliament after the evebts of today. I am trying to inspire a confidence vote by Friday

David Amos <motomaniac_02186@hotmail.com> wrote:

From: "David Amos"
To:
CC:
Subject: Your words and now mine
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 22:35:00 -0400

 Hmmmm

           As I watch you fellas play your wicked game, it seems that you forgot the the wild card that is in the game as well. The joker or the self proclaimed court jester that is me. Or didn't anyone tell you this morning that I got out of jail last night and escaped Ashcroft's clutches once again for a little while at least? I bet you do know now because Rob Moore must be screaming for help like a little stuck pig by now.

      You Bloomberg dudes ain't fooling me because I am too stupid. Plus there fact that I sent Bloomberg the same letter I sent Mulroney a long long time ago and little while before that I had talked personally to his reporter in the White House. I am certain he knew of that conversation. I will wager I am having more fun than you guys are right now. I will leave you all to wonder who gets this email next. Tommorrow we shall see if he has enough sand to make history or if he made a deal with you devils.

     Some honest folks are having a pretty good laugh right now at your expense. I certainly hope the rest of Canada joins in on the chuckle. APEX in Ottawa and Accenture/McGraw Hill in New York are about to make their big plans for our future while I ran around chucking wrenches in the works. Trust me this is fun.

     Tomorrow is another day and I would not want to spoil the show. If the Yankee bastards come get me tonight, methinks they will be to late to stop the circus. Rest assured I will die smiling because I know what I did today and they don't. No matter what they choose to do to me I cannot undo what I have already done. What a difference a day makes eh?

 

Oct. 6 (Bloomberg) -- "Canada's biggest opposition party said it would support Prime Minister Paul Martin's legislative agenda as long as he adds five pledges, including a commitment to lower taxes on poor families and to hold a parliamentary vote on whether Canada joins the U.S. missile defense program.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, 45, made his demands in an amendment to yesterday's Throne Speech, which laid out the government's program. The speech is considered a ``confidence'' matter, meaning the government will fall should the majority of members of Parliament vote against it. Tony Valeri, the Liberal minister in charge of organizing the legislative schedule, said he needed more time to decide whether the government could agree to the changes. Any votes on amendments to the Throne Speech will be votes of confidence, Valeri said. One may take place tomorrow, he said.

`Big Problem'

``Anything that changes the intent of the government is obviously something that we have a big problem with,'' Valeri told reporters in Ottawa. ``There's a lot to look at, a lot to consider.''

Jack Layton, leader of the New Democrats, indicated that he would back the Liberals. ``We will not play chicken with an opportunity to make positive change,'' Layton said in the House of Commons. "

To contact the reporter on this story: Kevin Carmichael in Ottawa

Hey Chantal

OTTAWA—With yesterday's Speech from the Throne, Prime Minister Paul Martin is daring the federalist opposition leaders — in particular Conservative Leader Stephen Harper — to align themselves with the sovereignist Bloc Québécois to defeat his minority government.

He may yet see that happen.

At best, the speech amounts to a high-risk attempt to tilt the balance in the House of Commons in favour of the Liberals by polarizing it along federalist/sovereignist lines.

At worst, it is the clumsy product of a governing party that is willing to break at the first opportunity rather than bend to the realities of minority rule.

What it is not is the work of a government that has broken a sweat searching for ways to make do in uncertain circumstances.

For the most striking feature of Martin's second Speech from the Throne is that it is so much like the first one.

Poring over its 15 pages, one is at a loss to find signs that its authors drafted it with a serious thought to its changed circumstances and the election-imposed necessity to reach out to the opposition to survive.

Adrienne's (Martin's) words

   "I congratulate both the returning members of Parliament, as well as the more than one hundred who are newly elected, as you take up your duties in the House of Commons for this Thirty-Eighth Parliament of Canada.

     This year, Canadians commemorated the 60th anniversary of D-Day and the landing of allied forces in Europe—an event that spelled the beginning of the end of the Second World War. Canadian soldiers, sailors and aircrews fought with dogged bravery and were ultimately victorious on Juno Beach that day.

     Shortly, I will be going to Italy to commemorate the significant campaign in which six thousand Canadians sacrificed their lives. To me, personally, these commemorations are a symbol of our eternal gratitude and an affirmation that we have not forgotten.

    On these occasions, we are reminded of the huge debt we owe to those in uniform who have served this country—then and today. Our veterans connect generations and Canadians. As a country and as individuals, we gain in pride and in purpose from their deeds and their service.

     I recently concluded extended visits to six cities of varying size—Saint John, Quebec City, Toronto, Saskatoon, Calgary and Vancouver. In them, I found remarkable, innovative projects for social renewal and individual commitment. They express the confidence and love that we all hold for this country. This is the spirit of Canada I see as Governor General."

 

And now mine  

 

Yo, Adrienne

           Yesterday while my wife and friends from Canada were busy with their last dimes bailing me out of a Boston jail that the fat dumb and happy old lawyer Ronald A. Irwin didn't care that I was in, you were busy making your big speech and bragging of preparing for another fancy world tour at Canadian expense. When I read your speech today, I saw red. I expected the political double talk kissing Martin's ass simply because he has covered your butt with respect to all the money you squandered. However stealing a little glory from the veterans of past wars was to much for me to stand. You really pissed me off and I must register my indignation now.

    In your speech you paid homage to dead men from World War II that I was named after and talked of visiting Saint John NB amongst other places. Perhaps you should have stopped at the Veteran's hospital in Saint John and talked to one of the last surviving 48th Highlanders that went up through Africa and Italy. His name is ol Tom. He has been through hell and back many times and still retains a remarkable Joie de Vivre. He is one of my best friends in life and it was his kilt that I wore while campaigning for Parliament. I was also wearing it as I went off to jail as well back out again.

    I am sure Tom would have loved meeting you and telling you a few horror stories about the war and about the great times that we have shared together as friends. He is thirty years my senior but he has long recognized the attibutes within me that would befit a proper lady from hell. Ask Mr. Irwin's help about a proud man they met yesterday within the living hell of a Beantown jail. Ol Tom, my father and many other good men taught me to never surrender, never take prisoners, maintain your pride and ethics and never stop enjoying whatever life may throw at you. Ol Tom, my father and all the others saw too many friends that never had a chance to enjoy the sort of life that I have lived. I thank Ol Tom for his friendship and support he is my only friend of the old school of decnt men that I have known who is still alive. It is now my turn to make their lessons and memory live on. Rest assured Tom will receive a copy of this letter.

    (: I hope to see you once again real soon Corporal Hee Haw. You know I just gotta jerk your chain to hear the old dog growl. Me old Yamaha is waiting for you to ride. I will ride along with Superfarmer's old Kawi. To hell with the Harleys they are too expensive and slow for the pace. Our old bikes have been stress tested for over the 25 years why quit riding them now? Beside we are all as poor as church mice these days we might as well enjoy the day with what we already have. Say hey to Dave for me as he reads you this letter and give him a kiss for me until payday :) This note is no joke I have more respect for Ol Tom than a million politicians. If there is anyone that I wish to be remembered byway of this email, it is him. I simply don't give a damn if anyone else reads it but I know many will very very soon. You can take that to the World Trade Bank.

       It was no accident that I put my name on the ballot in Fundy on June 7th. That was the day my mother's favorite brother died in Normandy. She honoured me with his name, Raymond. My father, who was the sole survivor of a plane crash during the war honoured me with the name of his friend. David who went on to be awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery. Obviously I put my full name on the ballot not only to honour both my mother and my father but to most importantly of all to honour the men like ol Tom still living who sacrificed so much in order for me to be allowed to speak up and defend the rights that so many people like him have fought to defend.

     After all the prior contact with you and your office, you chose to defend the likes of Paul Martin and his many cohorts and head out to party some more? Shame on you. The following are your words and the following emails are my words and proof that I am making my best effort to properly shame you in an ethical fashion. If for no other reason someone must bear witness for the living and the dead so that their sacrifices were not in vain.

     It is now the end of the first day of Parliament and it appears that my former political opponent Rob Moore, who is appropriately named as well is apparently struck dumb by my contacts with him and I have not heard from anyone that was willing to act honourably and call for a confidence vote. Methinks I will chastise the NDP first because they are the biggest disappointment to me. As you can see I have already begun. I had high hopes for them because their party contained the least amount of lawyers.

     Adrienne, why you would choose to continue to honour the likes of T. Alex Hickman is way beyond Byron Prior's understanding and mine as well. Rest assured that we are cut from the same cloth as our forefathers who fought to defend our Queen. We will speak for the rights they gave us. The same ones that you and all those in public service deliberately deny us. What say you now oh ye fine and fancy lady?

Former DHS Inspector General Clark Kent Ervin on Homeland Security

Former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General (IG) Clark Kent Ervin spoke to POGO fellow Lauren Robinson last month from his new position at the Aspen Institute to discuss his two years at DHS.

POGO: You’ve been lauded for your frank and honest appraisals of DHS. Do you believe your not being invited back is a sort of punishment?

ERVIN: Well, not really. Clearly, I made myself unpopular in certain quarters of the department. [But] the news articles I’ve seen haven’t done a good job of explaining what happened. Really, the issue is that the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee never scheduled a vote on my confirmation, so I never got on to the Floor of the Senate. At the end of 2003, the President gave me a recess appointment, which is a very extraordinary thing. I would be IG now if at any time during 2003 or 2004, Senator Collins had scheduled a confirmation for me.

What are some examples of waste and inefficiency you’ve found at DHS?

There are so many. We did this undercover work where we found that it was still easier than it should have been after 9/11 to sneak guns and knives and bombs onto airplanes. We were able to confirm that ABC News was able to smuggle depleted – not weapons-grade – uranium into the United States. Even though Customs and border protection had inspected those containers, the Department missed it on two occasions. In terms of border security, they’re not catching as many people as they might if their systems were interoperable with the FBI’s. It’s entirely a DHS decision not to, the reason being the FBI takes ten fingerprints while DHS only takes two. When asked why, [DHS Under Secretary] Asa Hutchinson said it would be too time consuming. I don’t know why. It’s not five times more time consuming, you just put down all ten fingers instead of two!

What is your main concern for Homeland Security right now?

My main concern is that there has been a mindset at the senior level that has ignored problems or excused them. For example, [when ABC News smuggled uranium into the US] and the Department gives you the response, “well, we targeted the container and inspected it,” as opposed to admitting that they just didn’t find the uranium, that suggests a ‘see no evil, hear no evil’ mentality. There are a lot of problems, and you’ve got to acknowledge them before you can begin to solve them.

Are we more our less vulnerable to a terrorist attack now?

We are safer than we were on 9/11. A number of things have been done since 9/11 that will help in the fight against terrorism, but we’re not as safe as we need to be, we’re not as safe as we can be, and we’re not as safe as we think we are.

Are you concerned for other public servants who may be discouraged from speaking forthrightly about inefficiencies and problems?

The Inspector General Act gives us a lot of power to do what I did, but there needs to be an amendment [to IG language] for Homeland Security, Justice, Treasury, and CIA. Those IGs can be prevented from inspecting, auditing, or investigating matters if, in the judgment of the Cabinet Secretary, the IG’s doing so might compromise national security. That provision, to Secretary Tom Ridge’s great credit, was never invoked by him against me, but it could have been. And so we need to remove the temptation for Secretaries to use it. Such provisions are inconsistent with the notion of an independent Inspector General.

Any advice for your fellow public servants?

Well, just do your job and let the political chips fall where they may. Unless you’re willing to do that, it seems to me you shouldn’t take the job in the first place.

March 22, 2005 in Homeland Security | Permalink

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