The Liberal government has removed restrictions on missile defence activities, paving the way for Canada to join U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Golden Dome” system or any other similar initiatives.

Defence Minister David McGuinty visited the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) headquarters in Colorado on July 15 when he met with U.S. Gen. Gregory Guillot. McGuinty noted the government “removed all restrictions on air and missile defence of Canada” but specific details were not provided at the time.

Defence sources, however, confirmed to the Ottawa Citizen that American officials were told that the February 2005 decision by then-prime minister Paul Martin not to join an existing U.S. missile defence system was no longer valid. At that time, the U.S. wanted Canada to join a largely unproven multi-billion dollar system which was to use ground-based interceptors to destroy incoming missiles aimed at North America.

“The threat environment has drastically changed and Canada needs to be prepared,” McGuinty explained in an email to the Ottawa Citizen. “By removing outdated restrictions on our air and missile defence policies, Canada is taking another necessary step to strengthen the safety and security of Canadians, and the sovereignty of Canada.”

Trump announced in mid-May that the Canadian government had asked to join his missile defence initiative known as Golden Dome. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office later confirmed that negotiations were ongoing, but no specifics have been provided.

Trump said he was inclined to let Canada take part in the project, but added “they’ll pay their fair share.”

In a follow-up May 27 post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated it will cost Canada $61 billion US to join the proposed system. “I told Canada, which very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System, that it will cost $61 Billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State. They are considering the offer!”

Golden Dome, which will include putting weapons into space, is expected to be one of the most expensive military programs ever launched by the U.S. It was named after the president’s favourite colour.

Trump noted Golden Dome was a continuation of the space-based Strategic Defence Initiative proposed by Ronald Reagan in 1983. That initiative, nicknamed Star Wars, never got off the ground because of the massive cost and technological hurdles.

Canadian Forces leaders have been keen to join American missile defence initiatives which would involve even more integration between the militaries of the two nations.

Steve Staples, a Canadian critic of missile defence, said the Liberal government’s push to join Trump’s Golden Dome project was made without any public discussion. “Ironically, it was Trump himself who told Canadians about their own government’s plans,” said Steve Staples, author of Missile Defence: Round One. “That raises significant questions about why are we moving towards spending tens of billions of dollars on what will ultimately turn out to be a disaster?”

During the federal election campaign, Carney called for a shift away from Canada’s economic and military reliance on the U.S. and outlined his plan to strengthen trade and defence links with other nations. Trump has upended the international order, rewarding Russia and threatening allies, including Canada. He has continued his trade war with this country, recently hitting some Canadian goods with a 35 per cent tariff.

Staples said Carney was retreating from his previous pledge and participation in Golden Dome or other missile defence initiatives will only bring Canada closer to and more reliant on the U.S. military.

Trump said the project would cost $175 billion US ($242 billion CDN) and be ready within three years. The U.S. Congressional Budget Office, however, puts the lowest end cost for such a space-based shield at $161 billion US. The price tag for a higher end system could be between $542 billion and $831 billion, depending if costs can be reduced for launching sensor satellites, the office noted.

But Republican Senator Tim Sheehy said Golden Dome was similar in scope to the creation of the atomic bomb or the Apollo moon program. “It will likely cost in the trillions if and when Golden Dome is completed,” Sheehy, who serves on a subcommittee of the Senate’s armed services committee, said on May 13.

David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist covering Canadian Forces and military issues in Canada. To support his work, including exclusive content for subscribers only, sign up here: ottawacitizen.com/subscribe

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