Designing sovereignty: defence is not enough

If our military spending continues to rely on American-centric ecosystems, Ottawa risks ‘hardening’ a state of managed subordination, making it difficult for Canada to pivot when national interests diverge.

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Ottawa must engage Canadians in an open discussion on America’s ‘weaponized interdependence,’ writes David Carment.White House photograph by Daniel Torok, White House photograph by Daniel Torok

Opinion

BY DAVID CARMENT

April 1, 2026

For Canadian policymakers, regardless of political affiliation, the challenge today is not to react to the ever-evolving security agenda through ad hoc military hardening, but to design sovereignty deliberately. This strategic shift requires constructing new institu...

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