Does Canada have an independent military, or is it under the control of the US Northern Command?

sportsherald

Seriously? Canada, as an independent nation, controls its own military, while maintaining its alliances with the US and others. Canada did NOT join in the Iraq war, as a recent example, but did join in the war in Afghanistan (recently withdrawing, again as an independent decision). "The mission of the Canadian Forces is to: *protect Canada, *defend North America in co operation with the U.S., and *contribute to international peace and security. On any given day, about 8,000 Canadian Forces members - one third of our deployable force - are preparing for, engaged in or returning from an overseas mission. At home, Canadian Forces can bring the best available military resources from across Canada to bear on a crisis or threat, wherever it occurs, nation-wide." -from http://www.forces.ca/en/page/mission-74 Since its Confederation, the only outside control of Canada's armed forces was exerted by the United Kingdom as part of the British Empire, which ended after World War I. "The Great War (1914-1918) marked a watershed in the formation of the Canadian Army. A total of four frontline divisions were created, complete with infantry, artillery, mounted, and auxiliary units, in which nearly 620 000 men and women served. Several elements of the Canadian Corps were kept intact after the war. For instance, Canada's other two standing regiments still in existence today, the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, and Le Royale 22e Régiment, were created at the outset of the war. In less than fifty years, Canada had taken up its own defence and assumed its share of military responsibilities abroad, having turned a piecemeal militia force into a formidable army." -from http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/history-histoire/army-armee-eng.asp Jan 02 13, 1:39 AM

pmarney

Not only do they have there own independent military, they supply troops to the UN for various peace keeping missions around the globe. I had the privilege of serving with them on the UN peace keeping force in Cyprus back in the 80's and I believe they are still part of that force. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Peacekeeping_Force_in_Cyprus Jan 02 13, 1:46 AM

romeomikegolf

Despite being part of the North American continent Canada is an independent country within the British Commonwealth, not part of the US, with Queen Elizabeth as its Sovereign. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_of_Nations It is part of the UN and NATO, and the last I read no US Command decides NATO policy. There may be a mutual protection pact but Canada makes its own decisions. Jan 02 13, 1:53 AM

rrtallon

A silly question! Jan 02 13, 10:56 AM