`Oxford Pearson Seminar 1: Canada, NATO and Transatlanticism`
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A conference will be held to discuss the relationship between Canada, NATO and Transatlanticism.
By the mid-1990s, Canada appeared to be well along the way to disengagement from NATO’s military activities. It had closed its major European base, reduced its engagement in the conflicts in Yugoslavia (and in peace operations more generally), its defence expenditure had declined for three years running (from $C11.7 billion to $C9.4 billion), equipment stock was ageing and its active force numbers had declined by 10,000 over the previous three years (to 60,600). Its foreign minister was arguing that hard power was no longer necessary in a world where soft power (the attractiveness of ideas) was of growing importance, and he redefined NATO as a human security alliance. In short, Canada seemed to be moving towards a post-military profile in international and transatlantic relations.
Ten years later, Canada was a major player in NATO’s largest combat operation in its history: Canadian forces played a key role in front line combat in Afghanistan, a country of little traditional strategic significance to Canada. Canadian forces had taken numerous casualties with little negative response from public opinion, except for Quebec, where the action is opposed by a large majority. Defence spending was on a steady upward curve, as was procurement of new weapons systems, including strategic airlift. Canada was also playing a much more active role than previously in continental defence.
Given the sea of change in Canada’s engagement with NATO, and Canada’s seemingly enthusiastic embrace of an out-of-area combat role for NATO, it is timely to re-examine Canada’s relations with and role in the North Atlantic Alliance.
