Canada is talking to the US about joining its ‘Golden Dome’ missile defense system, Carney says
Associated Press3 days
Canada in Talks to Join US 'Golden Dome' Defense System
Above: Mark Carney arrives at Rideau Hall for his cabinet's swearing-in ceremony on May 13, 2025, in Ottawa. Image copyright: Andrej Ivanov/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
Canada's participation in the Golden Dome is a necessary evolution in North American defense strategy, especially given the growing threats from Russia, China, and North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missiles. The current arrangement leaves Canada essentially hoping Americans will shoot down incoming missiles, which hardly constitutes true sovereignty or independence. Joining this defense shield would correct the strategic mistake made in 2005 when Canada opted out of ballistic missile defense, which excluded the country from crucial defense decisions affecting its territory.
Government-critical narrative
The Golden Dome proposal is a betrayal of the vision Canadians voted for during the recent election. Carney promised to assert a more independent foreign policy and move away from reliance on U.S. military strategy. This space-based defense initiative amounts to a reboot of Ronald Reagan's failed "Star Wars" program, which will turbocharge a dangerous arms race in space between the United States, China, Russia, and other emerging space powers and entangle Canada in a wildly expensive and likely ineffective venture.