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CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Golden Dome? ReArm Europe? Canada negotiating military relationships amid trade war, sovereignty concerns
U.S. President Donald Trump says it would cost Canada at least $61B to join his Golden Dome missile defence system. 'You can only control what you can control.' Those were the words from newly minted Defence Minister David McGuinty Wednesday morning on his way into a cabinet meeting after a reporter asked him to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump's US$61 billion price tag to join the Golden Dome. 'What we can control here now is decisions around strengthening our sovereignty and our security,' he said. The Golden Dome, a name that plays off Israel's Iron Dome, is a project Trump told the Pentagon to pursue. It would employ ground- and space-based weapons to destroy missiles mid-flight. Canada had expressed interest in joining the project , but a price had never been publicized – at least, not until Tuesday, when Trump laid out his terms on Truth Social: US$61 billion, or C$84.3 billion. In the 2024 federal budget, Canada's Department of National Defence was projected to spend just C$44.2 billion in 2025-26. Trump offered another price, though not a monetary one: Canada would pay billions so long as it stays 'a separate, but unequal, Nation.' But if it allowed the U.S. to consume it, the Golden Dome would be free. He claimed Canada is considering it. 'Canada is an independent, sovereign nation, and it will remain one,' the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement to CTV News responding to the post. McGuinty told CTV News Canada is continuing its negotiations with the White House – Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc was there this week, he said – as well as the European Union. Minister of National Defence David McGuinty Minister of National Defence David McGuinty makes an address at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries annual defence industry trade show CANSEC, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Pompeo: 'I don't know the source of that number' Mike Pompeo, Trump's former secretary of state, said he wasn't sure where that $61 billion figure came from, but estimated it was a 'low' estimate. He also said it he thought it's worth the investment. Pompeo took questions from reporters during CANSEC, a military technology convention in Ottawa. He was also asked if Canadians should feel that their sovereignty is under threat, given Trump's suggestion Canada should no longer exist as a country. 'No,' he said. 'Canada is going to do all the things necessary to protect its sovereignty. I'm sure of it.' Mike Pompeo talks Canada Mike Pompeo, former U.S. Secretary of State, takes questions at a media availability following his off-the-record keynote at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries annual defence industry trade show CANSEC, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Europe is re-arming. Canada wants in In an interview with CBC News Tuesday evening, Carney said his government wants to join ReArm Europe by Canada Day. The European initiative would leverage loans and investments into domestic defence industries. It was launched after Trump temporarily suspended U.S. military aid supporting Ukraine's defence in its ongoing war with Russia. Carney wants to diversify Canada's military spending. 'Seventy-five cents of every dollar of capital spending for defence goes to the United States. That's not smart,' he told CBC News in an interview. 'What's better: if we spend more at home, if we have diversified partnerships,' he said, adding that increased activity with the Europeans could have 'big benefits' for Canadian jobs. Prime Minister Mark Carney Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Speaking to CTV News outside CANSEC, McGuinty said he would be at NATO next week in Brussels, and the prime minister will meet the consortium at the end of June. 'Discussions continue,' he said. McGuinty was asked whether entrance into ReArm would come at the expense of Canada's partnership on the Golden Dome. 'There are a lot of moving parts as Canada repositions itself, strengthens its Canadian Armed Forces, reasserts its sovereignty and security,' he responded. Inside the conference, Pompeo was asked if he was concerned Ottawa's procurement could shift to Europe if Canada no longer sees the U.S. as a reliable partner. 'I always worry about that, at one level,' he said. 'Conversely, the United States is the security partner for Canada.' Turning to ReArm, Pompeo said the U.S. welcomes a renewed emphasis on European defence spending. 'I wish the Europeans would have armed, like, 50 years ago,' he said. With files from Lynn Chaya and The Canadian Press
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Golden Dome? ReArm Europe? Canada negotiating military relationships amid trade war, sovereignty concerns
U.S. President Donald Trump says it would cost Canada at least $61B to join his Golden Dome missile defence system. U.S. President Donald Trump says it would cost Canada at least $61B to join his Golden Dome missile defence system. Trump says it would cost Canada $61B to join Golden Dome system 'You can only control what you can control.' Those were the words from newly minted Defence Minister David McGuinty Wednesday morning on his way into a cabinet meeting after a reporter asked him to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump's US$61 billion price tag to join the Golden Dome. 'What we can control here now is decisions around strengthening our sovereignty and our security,' he said. The Golden Dome, a name that plays off Israel's Iron Dome, is a project Trump told the Pentagon to pursue. It would employ ground- and space-based weapons to destroy missiles mid-flight. Canada had expressed interest in joining the project , but a price had never been publicized – at least, not until Tuesday, when Trump laid out his terms on Truth Social: US$61 billion, or C$84.3 billion. In the 2024 federal budget, Canada's Department of National Defence was projected to spend just C$44.2 billion in 2025-26. Trump offered another price, though not a monetary one: Canada would pay billions so long as it stays 'a separate, but unequal, Nation.' But if it allowed the U.S. to consume it, the Golden Dome would be free. He claimed Canada is considering it. 'Canada is an independent, sovereign nation, and it will remain one,' the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement to CTV News responding to the post. McGuinty told CTV News Canada is continuing its negotiations with the White House – Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc was there this week, he said – as well as the European Union. Minister of National Defence David McGuinty Minister of National Defence David McGuinty makes an address at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries annual defence industry trade show CANSEC, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Pompeo: 'I don't know the source of that number' Mike Pompeo, Trump's former secretary of state, said he wasn't sure where that $61 billion figure came from, but estimated it was a 'low' estimate. He also said it he thought it's worth the investment. Pompeo took questions from reporters during CANSEC, a military technology convention in Ottawa. He was also asked if Canadians should feel that their sovereignty is under threat, given Trump's suggestion Canada should no longer exist as a country. 'No,' he said. 'Canada is going to do all the things necessary to protect its sovereignty. I'm sure of it.' Mike Pompeo talks Canada Mike Pompeo, former U.S. Secretary of State, takes questions at a media availability following his off-the-record keynote at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries annual defence industry trade show CANSEC, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Europe is re-arming. Canada wants in In an interview with CBC News Tuesday evening, Carney said his government wants to join ReArm Europe by Canada Day. The European initiative would leverage loans and investments into domestic defence industries. It was launched after Trump temporarily suspended U.S. military aid supporting Ukraine's defence in its ongoing war with Russia. Carney wants to diversify Canada's military spending. 'Seventy-five cents of every dollar of capital spending for defence goes to the United States. That's not smart,' he told CBC News in an interview. 'What's better: if we spend more at home, if we have diversified partnerships,' he said, adding that increased activity with the Europeans could have 'big benefits' for Canadian jobs. Prime Minister Mark Carney Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Speaking to CTV News outside CANSEC, McGuinty said he would be at NATO next week in Brussels, and the prime minister will meet the consortium at the end of June. 'Discussions continue,' he said. McGuinty was asked whether entrance into ReArm would come at the expense of Canada's partnership on the Golden Dome. 'There are a lot of moving parts as Canada repositions itself, strengthens its Canadian Armed Forces, reasserts its sovereignty and security,' he responded. Inside the conference, Pompeo was asked if he was concerned Ottawa's procurement could shift to Europe if Canada no longer sees the U.S. as a reliable partner. 'I always worry about that, at one level,' he said. 'Conversely, the United States is the security partner for Canada.' Turning to ReArm, Pompeo said the U.S. welcomes a renewed emphasis on European defence spending. 'I wish the Europeans would have armed, like, 50 years ago,' he said. With files from Lynn Chaya and The Canadian Press
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
Defence minister says cost of Trump's proposed missile defence project still unknown
OTTAWA - Defence Minister David McGuinty said that Canada still doesn't know what it would cost to join U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed 'Golden Dome' missile defence program. 'I'm not in a position to evaluate the numbers. We're going to bring a budget out in the fall, and when we bring a budget out we'll have a lot more to say about what we're going to do,' McGuinty said on his way into the weekly Liberal caucus meeting. On Tuesday, in a social media post, Trump said it would cost Canada $61 billion to join as a sovereign country but nothing at all if it became a U.S. state. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Trump claimed that Canada is 'considering the offer.' When asked about Trump's comments, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he won't negotiate in public. Canada's Ambassador to the UN Bob Rae said that 'in another context this would be called a 'protection racket',' in a social media post. Several Liberal MPs said that the renewed 51st state talk is not on the table as they entered their weekly caucus meeting on Parliament Hill. Trump announced plans for a complex missile defence system modelled after Israel's 'Iron Dome' earlier this month and claimed it would cost US$175 billion. The Congressional Budget Office says that the space-based components alone could cost more than half a trillion dollars over the next 20 years. Lt.-Gen. Eric Kenny with the Royal Canadian Air Force said that Canada is in 'exploratory discussions' with the U.S. about what 'Golden Dome' membership may look like. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'I have not been told that (dollar) figure. I did see the tweet. At this stage, I say it would be early exploratory discussions about what our participation may be, but it doesn't take away from our focus,' Kenny said at the CANSEC conference in Ottawa. He added that Canada's focus is to ensure there is an integrated missile defence system that's 'suitable' for Canada and takes national sovereignty into consideration. In 2022, Canada announced a $38.6 billion plan to contribute to Norad modernization over the next 20 years. — With files from Kelly Malone in Washington and Kyle Duggan in Ottawa. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2025. Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Canada says it wants to join major European defence plan
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he wants Canada to join a major European plan to bolster defences by 1 to CBC on Tuesday, Carney said he hoped his country would sign on to ReArm Europe - a plan to dramatically increase defence spending on the continent to in the next five years - in a bid to reduce reliance on the US."Seventy-five cents of every (Canadian) dollar of capital spending for defence goes to the United States. That's not smart," Carney told the public comments come amid tension with the US after takeover threats by President Donald Trump - though Carney has previously said Canada is open to joining a missile defence project proposed by Trump. A day after Carney's remarks, Canada's defence minister told a military trade show that his country wanted to quickly boost defence capacity in the face of growing global threats."The global security environment is today volatile and uncertain," said defence minister David McGuinty on Wednesday, citing Russia's war in Ukraine, as well as a more assertive said there would be a future focus on the Arctic, where competing nations were challenging Canada's sovereignty. Defence also featured on Tuesday in the Speech from the Throne - an event that opened the new parliament and outlined the sitting government's address was read in person by King Charles III, Canada's monarch, as part of a royal visit that was designed to highlight Canada's identity and sovereignty. The speech - which was written by both the King with his advisers and the Canadian government - contained commitments to "rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting" in Canada's also outlined the government's goal of strengthening defence relationships with European allies, and made mention of joining the ReArm Europe plan. Canada 'strong and free' and other takeaways from King's throne speechKing's Canadian speech doesn't mention you-know-who The remarks by Canadian officials come after Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said he expected members of his Western defence alliance - including Canada - to grow their annual defence spending to a level equivalent to 5% of each nation's GDP. The Nato target was previously 2% of GDP, but Rutte said members must prepare to defend themselves from increasingly powerful adversaries like Russia and China."Russia has teamed up with China, North Korea and Iran," Rutte told a Nato forum in the US on Monday. "They are expanding their militaries and their capabilities. They are preparing for long-term confrontation."The plan to increase Nato's spending target still has to be approved by member-country leaders, who are set to meet in the Netherlands in late has long faced pressure for failing to meet Nato targets, and was accused last year by US House Speaker Mike Johnson of "riding on America's coattails".Canadian business leaders have also called on their government to majorly boost spending in the defence industry, touting this as a way to boost the economy. In Wednesday's remarks, McGuinty told defence industry representatives that Carney's government would prioritise procuring military technology and equipment from Canadian week, Carney said that "high-level" talks were also taking place with the US about joining Trump's Golden Dome missile defence system. The King's throne speech noted that Canada wanted to continue talks with the US on security on US president posted on his Truth Social network later on Tuesday evening that the Golden Dome project would cost Canada US$61bn "if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation." "But will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State," he added, repeating his often-repeated view that Canada should be absorbed by the US. "They are considering the offer!" he response, Carney's office said in a statement that the prime minister "has been clear at every opportunity, including in his conversations with President Trump, that Canada is an independent, sovereign nation, and it will remain one".
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
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.
