No Missile Defence For Canada

For years now, Canada has been under pressure by the Empire to join in their fanciful and stupid missile defence system. Our previous Prime Minister Jean Chretien -- whatever his other faults and shortcomings -- managed to hold them off, although even he wasn't able to just say "No!" Unfortunately, the new Prime Minister, Paul Martin, came into office vowing to "repair the damage" in Canada-Empire relations caused by Chretien's obstinate position that Canada would not support the illegal and immoral invasion of Iraq. Ever since, the talk about missile defence has grown steadily louder and more insistent. And, even though Martin had pledged that there would be a debate and a vote before Canada joined anything approaching the militarization of space, the Minister of Defence now says that isn't going to happen. In fact, there won't even be a discussion in Parliament about it. That probably means Martin is about to capitulate to the masters in Washington.

I have no objections to the US wanting to defend itself. Go ahead. Build a huge wall around the country, if you like, I don't care. Just leave us alone to defend ourselves. We know there is no country with ballistic missiles that is likely to want to attack Canada. And even if there was, it is up to us to make our own arrangements for that contingency. Therefore, we need no part of any continent-wide "defence" (even if the Reaganite fantasy was technically feasible).

Joining the US in a new defence pact will simply draw us further into the Empire. It will erode confidence in Canada's independence when we undertake political, diplomatic and military forays overseas. It will weaken if not entirely destroy Canadian soveriegnty over its own defence and foreign policies. Unless we actually want to become part of the Empire (a genuine 51st State) -- and I know very few Canadians who do -- we must stand outside any new military entanglements with our imperialist southern neighbours.

Beyond missile defence, I believe it is vital that we remove ourselves as quickly as possible from the existing North American Air Defence system (NORAD) entirely. These systems are there to support the defence of the continental US only. They do nothing to protect Canada (from whom, I ask again?) If the US can only defend itself by trampling on Canada's rights, then let them do it openly by invading us, taking us over like they did the rest of the continent (manifest destiny indeed!) and take the political consequences.

Until then, Canada must say no. We must say it loudly and clearly. We want no part of the Empire's murderous schemes to militarize the entire globe.