Canada in NATO, 1949-2019

Canada has had a consistent support and involvement in NATO, with varying levels of military and diplomatic engagement. Initially a significant force contributor in the 1950s, it became the "odd man out" due to spotty military contributions. However, it re-emerged as a significant member through contributions to NATO peace enforcement operations in the Balkans and Afghanistan. Canada is the lead nation for the alliances "enhanced forward presence" in Latvia and continues to play an important role in NATOs efforts in Eastern Europe.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2021
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

Canada's participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been a tale of unwavering support and engagement, albeit with varying degrees of military and diplomatic involvement. Canada in NATO,1949–2019, the first comprehensive analysis of Canada's involvement in the Atlantic Alliance, delves into the country's journey from the negotiations that culminated in the alliance's charter in 1949 to NATO's seventieth anniversary. It explores how Canada's role in NATO has evolved over the years.

As one of NATO's early and prominent participants, Canada played a significant role in the 1950s. It deployed more modern fighter aircraft to Europe than the United States, and its naval commitment accounted for 10 percent of ship escorts across the North Atlantic. However, as the Cold War progressed, Canada became the "odd man out" of the Western alliance due to its inconsistent military contributions. Nevertheless, Canada re-emerged as a significant member through its contributions to NATO peace enforcement operations in the Balkans in the 1990s and its substantial contributions to operations in Afghanistan in the early 21st century. This transformation placed Canada in an unfamiliar position of criticizing many of the allies it had previously criticized.

As the lead nation for NATO's "enhanced forward presence" in Latvia, Canada continues to play a vital and highly visible role in the alliance's efforts in Eastern Europe today. Canada in NATO,1949–2019 sheds light on how NATO profoundly shaped Canadian defense and foreign policy, while also serving vital Canadian security and diplomatic interests.

Weight: 568g
Dimension: 161 x 237 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228008415