The
U.S. and Canada recently signed several bilateral agreements that will
further strengthen continental security and defense cooperation. Deeper
military integration between both countries is part of efforts to
establish a North American security perimeter and better address common
global threats.
Following the recent Permanent Joint Board on Defense (PJBD)
meeting
which took place in Ottawa, the Commander of Canada Command, Lt.-Gen
Walter Semianiw and the Commander of North American Aerospace Defense
Command (NORAD) and United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), Gen.
Charles Jacoby, Jr.
signed three military documents.
The first was the Combined Defense Plan which a
backgrounder
described as a, “planning framework between Canada Command, its
counterpart USNORTHCOM, and NORAD for enhanced defense cooperation
between Canada and the U.S. should governments require each other’s
assistance.” The second is the Information Sharing Memorandum of
Understanding, “an arrangement between Canada Command, its counterpart
USNORTHCOM and NORAD to identify and provide for ease of sharing
information amongst the three organizations.” The
Civil Assistance Plan,
which was originally signed in 2008 and allows the armed forces of one
nation to support the other during an emergency was also renewed for
two years.
Lee Berthiaume of Postmedia News
reported
that, “The Combined Defense Plan has been under discussion for several
years and would further integrate cross-border military co-operation
at a time when the Harper government is trying to reassure Washington
it has a reliable partner in Canada when it comes to security.” Defense
Minister Peter MacKay is quoted as saying, “This agreement provides a
framework for the combined defense of Canada and the U.S. during peace,
contingencies, and war.” He added, “The plan describes the authorities
and means by which the two governments would approve homeland military
operations in the event of a mutually agreed threat, and how our two
militaries would collaborate and share information.” In his speech in
front of the PJBD, Minister MacKay also called for, “increased military
involvement implementing the Beyond the Border strategy, saying the
Canadian Forces and its American counterparts should be supporting
civilian agencies monitoring the cross-border security.” Also on the
agenda at the defense forum was security cooperation in the Arctic,
along with Canadian and U.S. engagement in the Western Hemisphere.
In an article for iPolitics, Colin Horgan
wrote that at the recent bilateral defense meeting, “MacKay noted that such initiatives as
Beyond the Border and the
Regulatory Cooperation Council Action Plan
will work to ensure that the vital economic partnership that joins our
two countries continues to be the cornerstone of our economic
competitiveness and security.” Defense Minister MacKay emphasized that
security is linked to the economy and called for even greater
cooperation to support the dual action plans. He stated, “We need to
increasingly focus our military forces in support of those civilian
departments and agencies that have the lead.” MacKay also explained,
“We need to all work together to mitigate capability gaps, share best
practices and co-operate on new approaches.” He went on to say, “there
is still room for more integrated collaboration – domestically and
bi-nationally.”
The latest military agreements further promote a perimeter approach to security. They are part of the
Tri Command Vision efforts to merge NORAD, USNORTHCOM and Canada Command into one. As for the
PJBD,
it has once again become more relevant as a venue for bilateral
security and military dialogue. Created in 1940 the panel, “is the
senior advisory body on continental defense. It is composed of military
and diplomatic representatives from both nations.” Over the years, it
has, “served as a strategic-level military board charged with
considering, in a broad sense, land, sea, air and space issues.” This
includes areas concerning, “policy, operations, financial, logistics
and other aspects of Canada-U.S. defense relations.” The PJBD is well
positioned to play a significant role in plans for a fully integrated
North American security perimeter, as well as in other facets of the
evolving Canada-U.S. partnership.
On January 6, the Obama administration released the new document,
Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense.
The new strategy calls for maintaining a strong presence in the Middle
East, as well as an expanding role in the Asia-Pacific region. Much of
the focus will be on countering China’s rising power. This will
include supporting large bases in Japan and South Korea, along with
stationing troops in Australia. The U.S. will also continue efforts to
forge stronger military alliances with the Philippines, Indonesia,
Vietnam and Burma. While the plan envisions a leaner military force,
there is little doubt that Washington will continue to police the world.
How does Canada fit into this new realignment of American strategic
priorities? It is clear that the U.S. will rely more on its allies
during international missions. Canada may gain a greater voice in
future military operations, but it will also mean that they will have
to bear more of the burden. In the coming years, as NATO members begin
cutting defense spending, Canada will be counted on to play an even
bigger role in any possible overseas conflicts.
Whether it’s
the perimeter security deal, the ongoing mission in Afghanistan or the
bombing campaign that took place in Libya, the U.S. and Canada continue
to enhance security and military cooperation. Under Prime Minister
Stephen Harper, both countries have further deepened their defense
relationship. In addition, Canada has pursued a more U.S.-style foreign
policy. This includes imposing tougher sanctions on Iran, along with
further expanding sanctions against Syria. Much like the U.S., Harper
has singled out Iran as a threat to international peace and security.
He has echoed the same sentiments that the regime is seeking a nuclear
weapon and would be prepared to use it. Defense Minister Peter MacKay
has also indicated that if necessary, Canada's armed forces are ready to
offer assistance in Syria. More than ever, the U.S, and Canada share a
more common approach to advancing security interests in not only North
America, but around the globe.
