Canada’s Defence Minister David McGuinty has downplayed Prime Minister Mark Carney’s comments that Ottawa has examined the possibility of U.S.-led military action against Canada, saying it is normal for militaries to assess a wide range of potential security risks.
Carney made the remarks in an interview with The New York Times, saying his government had considered the possibility of U.S. military action as an “extreme tail risk.” The prime minister declined to provide details about what the assessment involved.
McGuinty said Thursday that such contingency planning is a routine part of military planning and risk assessment around the world. He said the government would not disclose details of any analysis conducted by Canadian authorities.
The defence minister also emphasized the longstanding military relationship between Canada and the United States, describing their cooperation as an important part of maintaining security across North America.
Carney’s comments come after repeated statements by U.S. President Donald Trump about making Canada the 51st U.S. state. Trump has previously said he would pursue that objective through economic pressure rather than military force.
The issue has also gained attention following reports that the Canadian Armed Forces had previously modeled a hypothetical U.S. military invasion of Canada. That exercise was described as a conceptual and theoretical framework rather than an operational military plan.
Conservative MP Ellis Ross criticized Carney’s remarks, arguing that raising the possibility of an American military action could create unnecessary fear and division among Canadians. He also called for clarification about how the United States views the prime minister’s comments.
The discussion comes amid broader tensions in Canada-U.S. relations, including trade disputes and Trump’s repeated comments about Canadian statehood.
While Canadian officials continue to describe the prospect of U.S. military action as a highly unlikely scenario, the government’s acknowledgment that such risks are considered has drawn renewed attention to defence planning and Canada’s relationship with its closest neighbour.
Swifteradio.com
