Staff – March 24, 2025

President Trump is not invading Canada.

The United States has long played a pivotal role in defending Canada, rooted in a shared history, geographic proximity, and mutual security interests. As neighbors bound by the world’s longest undefended border, the two nations have forged a strong partnership through alliances like NATO and NORAD, ensuring collective defense against external threats. This report examines the evolution of U.S. contributions to Canada’s security, from early military cooperation to modern joint operations, highlighting how this relationship has bolstered North American stability. Through strategic collaboration and resource-sharing, the United States has not only reinforced Canada’s sovereignty but also underscored the importance of bilateral unity in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects:

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD): Established in 1958, NORAD is a binational command that integrates U.S. and Canadian forces to monitor and defend North American airspace and maritime approaches. It’s headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, with both nations contributing personnel, equipment, and funding. Canada provides CF-18 fighter jets, radar systems (like the North Warning System), and personnel, while the U.S. brings advanced technology, a larger fleet (e.g., F-22s, F-15s), and missile defense capabilities. NORAD’s roles include aerospace warning (e.g., detecting ballistic missile threats), aerospace control (e.g., intercepting unauthorized aircraft), and maritime warning (e.g., tracking vessels in cooperation with naval forces). This shared system ensures neither country defends its skies alone, leveraging U.S. strengths in scale and tech alongside Canada’s strategic northern position.

Continental Defense Cooperation: Beyond NORAD, the U.S. and Canada collaborate via the Permanent Joint Board on Defense (PJBD), set up in 1940, which advises on continental security policies. The Military Cooperation Committee, formed in 1946, aligns joint military planning. These forums ensure interoperability—Canadian and U.S. forces train together, use compatible equipment, and coordinate responses to threats like cyberattacks or Arctic incursions. The U.S. often leads with greater resources (e.g., its $886 billion defense budget in 2024 vs. Canada’s $36.7 billion), but Canada contributes critical geography—its vast northern frontier acts as a buffer—and active participation, not just reliance.

Operational Support and Deployments: Historically, the U.S. benefits from Canadian territory for early warning systems (e.g., radar stations in the Arctic) and overflight rights for training and operations. During the Cold War, Canada hosted U.S.-funded Pinetree Line radar sites, with costs split (two-thirds U.S., one-third Canada). Today, joint exercises like Operation Nanook in the Arctic test both militaries’ readiness. Canada also deploys alongside the U.S. globally—Afghanistan (2001–2014) saw 40,000 Canadian troops support NATO efforts post-9/11, and both nations back Ukraine with aid and training (Canada’s $4.5 billion CAD commitment by mid-2024 complements U.S. efforts).

Economic and Industrial Ties: Canada’s defense relies on U.S. suppliers for much of its equipment—e.g., the F-35 jets Canada is acquiring ($19 billion CAD deal in 2023). This reflects integration under the Defense Production Sharing Agreement (since 1956), where U.S. firms supply Canada, and Canadian firms (e.g., Bombardier) support U.S. contracts. While Canada’s military spending is lower (1.4% of GDP vs. U.S. 3.1% in 2024), its contributions bolster a shared defense ecosystem, not a one-sided dependency.

Strategic Context: The U.S. sees Canada as a vital northern flank—any threat crossing Canadian territory (e.g., Russian bombers or Chinese ships in the Arctic) would target the U.S. too. This mutual vulnerability drives cooperation, not charity. Canada’s sovereignty remains intact; it funds and controls its own forces (e.g., 68,000 active personnel, 430 aircraft, 4 submarines), but its defense posture assumes U.S. backup against large-scale threats—realistic given Canada’s population (40 million) and economy ($2.1 trillion USD) versus potential adversaries