Defence minister defends sovereignty after Trump promises access to Golden Dome for $61B — or annexation
Defence Minister David McGuinty says Canada will control its defence spending, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump renewed his rhetoric to make the country the 51st state — this time in exchange for protection under a proposed missile defence system.
"I learned a long time ago when it comes to managing relationships with other countries, you can only control what you can control," McGuinty told reporters ahead of a caucus meeting Wednesday.
"And what we can control here now is decisions around strengthening our sovereignty and our security. We can also control our expenditures."
Trump posted on social media Tuesday that it will cost Canada $61 billion US to join the Golden Dome system "if they remain a separate, but unequal, nation," but will cost nothing "if they become our cherished 51st state."
McGuinty did not engage on the $61-billion price tag, only saying the fall budget will have more details.
"I'm not in a position to evaluate the numbers," he said.
Trump's revised 51st state rhetoric came just hours after King Charles made a whirlwind trip to Ottawa, where he delivered a speech from the throne that pressed upon Canada's unique identity and underscored its sovereignty.
Trump's comment also comes after U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra suggested Canadians move past the "51st state" talk.
"If the Canadians want to keep talking about it, that's their business," he told CBC's The House late last week.
"I'm not talking about it. Donald Trump is not talking about it."
'A bribe is a bribe:' MP
Other Liberal MPs balked at the annexation comments on their way into the meeting ahead of the session's first question period.
"It's outrageous," Winnipeg West MP Doug Eyolfson said on his way into a caucus meeting on the hill.
"A bribe is a bribe to become the 51st state. And Canada won't take a bribe."
Humber River-Black Creek Liberal MP Judy Sgro said Trump doesn't even know the real cost of the project and is trying to stir the pot.
"I think he's just like a little kid ... who just likes to see how much trouble he can cause for his family."
The Golden Dome plan, inspired by the Iron Dome that protects Israel from rockets, would greatly expand the U.S. air defence system.
'Do what's right for Canadians': minister
Trump and other U.S. officials say the dome would be able to block missiles fired from other countries and from space, weaving together existing technologies with future tech that does not yet exist.
"We're going to continue to do what's right for Canadians and that includes making sure that we are secure, that we are sovereign," said McGuinty.
"And we're going to continue to manage our relationship with not just the United States, but as we heard the prime minister say yesterday, with the European Union."
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney told CBC's Power & Politics in an interview that he hopes Canada will be able to join ReArm Europe, a major defence procurement pact, by July 1, in a step to reduce the country's dependence on the United States for weapons and munitions.
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