Minutes of Meeting to Discuss Study of National Security Policy, July 20, 1955

This document recounts a meeting between Canadian national security officials, where they discussed how Canada’s bilateral relationship with its neighbour, along with membership in NATO, could pose problems if the United States were to become involved in hostilities as a result of the offshore islands dispute. Notably, with North American air defences linked (if not yet integrated in NORAD), the Canadians thought it would be hard to refuse an American request for use of Canadian facilities should it become involved in hostilities with Communist China. Thus, officials reminded that Canadian policies could not be made in isolation as decisions made by Americans “would inevitably ha[ve] serious impact on Canadian policy.” Officials at this meeting also called for a study to reassess Canadian defence policies and develop generalized policies not limited by geography.