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National Security and Defence (Canada-U.S. Relations)


Canada-US Preclearance Arrangement

  • The United States and Canada have engaged in preclearance arrangements since the 1950s.
  • Preclearance entails an arrangement between two countries that allows customs and immigration officials from the country of destination to be located in the country of origin to deny or permit travelers and/or goods passing through the destination country.
  • From 2002-August 2019 Canada and th

Five–Country Ministerial

  • The Five Eyes community is an intelligence alliance comprised of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States and their respective security ministers, who meet to discuss collaboration opportunities through the Five-Country Ministerial forum.
  • These forums are centered around public safety and national security issues pertinent to the Five Eyes Partners.

Canada and the Afghanistan War

  • The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) was involved in Afghanistan for over 12 years, and was the largest deployment of CAF personnel since the Second World War.
  • The Afghanistan War is Canada's longest war to-date and was the first significant combat engagement since the Korean War.
  • The mission in Afghanistan was sparked by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United State

The Distant Early Warning Line

  • The Distant Early Warning Line (DEW line) is a system of radar stations in the northern Arctic region of Canada stretching from Alaska through Canada and over to Greenland and Iceland and was used to detect external threats/attacks that could threaten North American cities.
  • The DEW system was active from 1957-1993 and was built during the Cold War as a means of protection for the United States and Canada.

Beyond the Border Action Plan

  • The Beyond the Border Action Plan is a bilateral law enforcement action plan between Canada and the United States where the two countries have committed to enhance cross-border law enforcement activities by expanding upon existing programs like Integrated Border Enforcement Teams, Border Enforcement Security Task Forces, the Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations, the Cross-Border Radio Interoperability Program, among others.

NATO's Airborne Warning and Control System

  • In 2011, the Canadian Government withdrew from North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) program after the Department of National Defence's Strategic Review in 2010.
  • The official reason for Canada's withdrawal was to save millions each year but there remains speculation about the decision being about lack of proper/equitable recognition by NATO allies.

Canada and the Gulf War

  • The Persian Gulf War (also known as the Gulf War) took place between 1990-1991 and was an international conflict triggered by Iraq invading Kuwait in August 1990.
  • Shortly after the invasion, several countries in the international community (including Canada) joined the American-led multinational Coalition to restore freedom in Kuwait.
  • Under UN approval to use force, the America

Canada and the Vietnam War

  • The mid-20th Century was a defining era of shaping Canada's identity in regards to foreign affairs.
  • Canada's foreign policy objectives shifted towards peacekeeping efforts rather than participating in conflicts, which was emphasized by Canada's adoption of a strict non-proliferation and disarmament policies.
  • One very distinct policy decision was when former Prime Minister Leste