Command and Control of Sentinel: Determining Canada's Position (November-December 1968)
During the period of November to December 1968, External Affairs officials corresponded at great length about the Canadian position on involvement in the command and control of the Sentinel ABM System. Officials had to consider both Canada-U.S. relations, and the potential implications on arms control as they formulated a decision.
On the latter issue, there was significant internal debate, as Politico-Military Affairs claimed that Canadian involvement would strengthen Ottawa’s arms control position, while the Disarmament Division proclaimed the opposite. A memorandum to the Minister on December 30th indicates that the Disarmament opinion had prevailed, noting that CINCNORAD involvement in command and control of the system “would certainly detract from what influence Canada might have in disarmament negotiations, encouraging other participating nations to consider us as a mere satellite of the United States.”