13 May 1969: Draft Paper - Implications to Canada Of ABM Defence Systems

Describing ballistic missiles as “the primary military threat to North America,” this Canadian government paper examines the implications for Canadian policy of Nixon’s Safeguard ABM decision. The report states that on balance, the Safeguard decision “does not disturb the stability of mutual deterrence.” The paper also concludes that the decision could be interpreted “as a further step, albeit a measured one, in the arms race.”

This report demonstrates that the issue of arms control was one of the most important implications in the eyes of Canadian policymakers. Overall, the paper concludes that “Safeguard may hinder rather than help endeavors towards useful arms control agreements.” While SALT appeared unaffected, the deployment of the system would have had longer-ranging impacts on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, as well as the Non-Proliferation Treaty agreement. Ultimately, the report states that Canadian participation in Safeguard could undermine Ottawa’s position in the field of arms control and disarmament.