Canada Mulls Joining UK-Led Response Force as Its Military Grows

David McGuinty Photographer: Cole Burston/Bloomberg Photo by Cole Burston /BloombergArticle content(Bloomberg) — Canada is considering eventual membership in a UK-led multinational rapid response force, but its immediate priority is rebuilding its military and reducing reliance on the US, Defense Minister David McGuinty said.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentHe said Canada is assessing whether to join the 10-nation Joint Expeditionary Force — which also includes the Nordics, Baltics and the Netherlands — which boosts members’ capabilities through joint exercises and can act collectively in crises.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle content“But right now we’re focused on rebuilding the Canadian Armed Forces from the top down and bottom up,” McGuinty said in an interview in Oslo. “It’s happening quite quickly. It’s not something we’ve seen before. So questions about next steps — Joint Expeditionary Force and beyond — we’ll get there,” he said.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentCanada, a NATO member, is racing to expand its security partnerships as the US pulls back from multilateral arrangements and occasionally targets its northern neighbor with economic threats. McGuinty pointed to a new industrial strategy aimed at creating a “much bolder” defense sector. Article contentPrime Minister Mark Carney is meeting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Monday, with defense and the Middle East on the agenda. On Sunday, Carney and Nordic leaders pledged to deepen Arctic security cooperation.Article contentCanada declined to join the JEF in 2014 and believed the option had faded during Britain’s post‑Brexit repositioning and the Hans Island dispute with Denmark, according to a Royal United Services Institute paper. With those tensions eased, the paper argued Canada’s entry would give the JEF a true Euro-Atlantic footprint and offer Ottawa a stepping stone to closer European integration.Article contentArticle contentBut Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told reporters on Sunday the JEF “has not really been a theme with Canada,” adding he’d like to see Poland and Germany join. A March 26 meeting in Finland may revisit membership questions. Article content“With Canada, I think it’s more about what we do in the Arctic, in NATO, the Arctic Seven,” he said.Article contentCanada announced several agreements with Norway during the Oslo meetings, including a letter of intent on space cooperation signed by McGuinty and his Norwegian counterpart. McGuinty said he will unveil “major investments” in space sovereignty on Monday at a Canadian Space Agency facility run by MDA Space Ltd.Article contentCanada signed a partnership in December to develop a multibillion‑dollar military satellite system with MDA Space and Telesat Corp., part of its push to reduce reliance on US systems. MDA Space recently raised $300 million in an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange.Article contentMcGuinty said Canada has the capability to make far greater advances in space, especially with like-minded partners. The pact with Norway will allow personnel exchanges, joint research and help attract investment, he said.Article content“The prime minister strongly believes middle powers like ours, Norway and others, combining their efforts can be a real unstoppable force,” he said. “None of us is as smart as all of us.”Article contentTrending Canadians’ average wealth hit $1.07 million, but what’s driving net worth depends on your age, province and bracket Wealth Bank of Canada more likely to cut than hike after 'brutal' jobs report, say economists Economy Once red-hot, Dubai real estate bonds slump on demand fears Real Estate Philippine Central Bank Steps in as Peso Nears Key Level of 60 PMN Business Trump Demands Help From Other Countries to Secure Hormuz PMN Business Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Canadians’ average wealth hit $1.07 million, but what’s driving net worth depends on your age, province and bracket Wealth Bank of Canada more likely to cut than hike after 'brutal' jobs report, say economists Economy Once red-hot, Dubai real estate bonds slump on demand fears Real Estate Philippine Central Bank Steps in as Peso Nears Key Level of 60 PMN Business Trump Demands Help From Other Countries to Secure Hormuz PMN Business