The Canadian government is in talks with the Trump administration to join a newly expanded joint missile “defence” program.
While the Liberals publicly claim that they will “stand up” to Trump, they are eager to collaborate with Trump to install U.S. missiles and radars on Canadian soil.
The news came to light when U.S. senator Jack Reed let slip at a senate hearing that the United States was in talks with Canada to join an expanded version of the Ballistic Missile Defense program. This was then confirmed by Liberal Defence Minister Bill Blair to the Globe and Mail, who said: “An integrated missile-defence system for all of North America is the thing that makes sense to everybody.”
Trump’s Golden Dome
On Jan. 27, President Trump signed an executive order to massively expand the United States’ “Ballistic Missile Defence” (BMD) program. This program was initially designed to fire missiles, guided by satellites, to intercept incoming ballistic missiles.
However, under the banner of “peace through strength”, Trump’s new “iron dome for America” – since then renamed the Golden Dome – will be ready to fire missiles in advance of an incoming strike.
The executive order details developments to “defeat missile attacks prior to launch”—meaning to attack first. And, the executive order states that its missile program will be ready to “defend United States troops deployed abroad.” Given that the U.S. has troops in 178 of the world’s 195 countries, this could be a massive expansion.
If the U.S. cannot attack first, moreover, the executive order resolves to massively build up its “second-strike” missile capability and that of its allies.
This is all part of Trump’s effort to create what has been described as “Fortress America.”
Canadian government capitulates to U.S. imperialism
Canada has been a key junior partner in the United States-led imperialist alliance ever since WWII. However, they have not always been the most eager to participate in U.S.-led military escapades. In the 1980s, then-Prime Minister Brian Mulroney refused to join Reagan’s “Star Wars” missile defense program. Then, in 2005, the Martin Liberal government opted out of formally joining the original BMD program.
This was not due to any anti-imperialist stance from Mulroney or Martin but due to widespread working class opposition. In the 1980s, there were mass demonstrations opposing the arms race between the U.S.S.R. and the United States. By 2005 there was a mass anti-war movement brewing against the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan. Public opinion was opposed to assisting U.S. militarism.
Formally joining the BMD is a huge reversal in foreign policy. And it is worth noting that this is being done with a U.S. president who has, in recent months, toyed with plans to “obliterate” Iran. He’s even spoken approvingly about the possibility of an “arms race” between the U.S. and its rivals.
Joining this defence project will likely mean hosting U.S. missile sites (what Canada’s corporate media and military hierarchy politely call “interceptors”) on Canadian soil or radar systems to guide potential strikes.
The Canadian ruling class cannot afford to stand on the sidelines anymore. World relations are getting reshaped, with new imperialist blocs forming and new powers like China and Russia getting more assertive, leading to increasing wars and proxy wars. A new arms race, including a new nuclear arms race, is moving apace. Canadian capitalists don’t want to be left alone to fend for themselves.
That’s why while the Canadian ruling class talk big game when it comes to trade, they still cower behind the U.S. when it comes to matters of defense. They have historically benefitted from being junior partners of the biggest gangster on the planet, and they don’t want that to end.
This is also why the ruling class are pushing the Canadian government to reach NATO’s target of two per cent of GDP for military spending.
The working class has no interest in this imperialist arms race. It will be us that are made to pay for these weapons, through privatizations, cuts to social services and public sector layoffs.
That’s why communists say :
Books not bombs!
Healthcare not warfare!
Down with the warmongers!
