Commentary
Canadians often think of NATO as Europe’s security alliance. It is not. NATO is Canada’s first line of defence because every day the alliance deters conflict abroad, it reduces the likelihood that Canada will ever have to confront that conflict at home. Supporting NATO is therefore not an act of charity toward Europe. It is one of the smartest investments Canada can make in its own security, prosperity, and sovereignty.
The international security environment has changed fundamentally. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ended three decades of relative stability in Europe and reminded the world that large-scale conventional war remains a reality. At the same time, China’s rapid military modernization, technological ambitions, and growing strategic partnership with Russia have transformed global security into an interconnected contest stretching from Europe to the Indo-Pacific and into the Arctic. Geography alone no longer guarantees Canada’s security….