5 November 1968: Memorandum for the Under Secretary - PJBD Meeting

Following a Permanent Joint Board on Defence meeting in Halifax, the Office of Politico-Military Affairs reported that “the U.S. was anxious to have Canadian views at an early date on the possible inclusion of command and control of the Sentinel ABM System in the terms of reference of CINCNORAD.”

Politico-Military officials noted that the U.S. Chairman explained potential multilateral concerns arising from the command and control decision, in particular along the lines of how such a decision would impact U.S. relations with the USSR as well as the potential impact on ratification of the NPT. 

While the Americans were unlikely to confirm a concrete position until the inauguration of President Nixon in January, the U.S. Chairman stressed that he would have liked to know “if there was a real reluctance in Canada to be further involved with nuclear weapons.” U.S. officials also emphasized that updating NORAD to include space defence “would not imply any commitment in respect of a financial contribution by Canada or deployment of ABM's on Canadian territory.” Politico-Military affairs suggested that Ottawa consider involvement with Sentinel, as it would “provide the opportunity for Canadian participation in planning the siting of ABM's and the firing doctrine for them.” 

Yet the Canadians still feared the Americans were leaving them in the dark, and stated that “important decisions are being taken in the United States on matters of direct concern to Canada without there being any real Canadian input.”