OTTAWA — A defence expert says that if Canada wants to fully join U.S. President Donald Trump's "golden dome" missile defence project, it should make a decision soon.
David Perry, president of the Canada Global Affairs Institute think tank, says Ottawa has a tendency to punt politically sensitive decisions on ballistic missile defence.
But he says that if Prime Minister Mark Carney wants in on the ground floor as the new U.S. program is being shaped, he will have to act soon.
Trump said Monday that the federal government contacted his administration indicating it wants to join the program and he will work with Ottawa to ensure it contributes its "fair share" to the US$175-billion program.
Canada controversially opted out of the United States' ballistic missile defence two decades ago under former prime minister Paul Martin's government.
Canada contributes to continental defence through NORAD by monitoring and detecting threats, leaving decisions on shooting things out of the sky to the Americans.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2025.
Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press
