Canada’s national security could see a boost from President Donald Trump’s proposed missile defense system known as the "Golden Dome." Policy experts believe that Canada’s involvement in this initiative would enhance its defense capabilities, especially given the current global threat landscape. However, they caution that it may take a long time—possibly years or even decades—to fully implement.
Rob Huebert, a political science professor at the University of Calgary, emphasized the importance of collaboration between Canada and the United States. He noted that as a smaller nation next to a superpower, Canada must work closely with the U.S. for its own security.
The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that discussions with the U.S. about a new economic and security partnership would include strengthening NORAD and initiatives like the Golden Dome. Prime Minister Mark Carney mentioned that Canada is considering investments and partnerships to complete the Golden Dome, although he did not specify how much funding Canada might allocate.
Trump has indicated that Canada expressed interest in joining the Golden Dome project, which is estimated to cost around $175 billion. He pointed out that Canada would need to contribute its fair share to the project. Experts believe that Canada’s participation would help it achieve NATO’s defense spending target of at least two percent of GDP by 2030.
The Golden Dome system is designed to intercept missiles at various stages of an attack, utilizing a combination of ground- and space-based technologies, including potentially hundreds of satellites. This system aims to detect and neutralize threats before they can reach their targets, making it significantly more advanced than Israel’s Iron Dome, which primarily targets short-range missiles.
While the concept is ambitious, experts are skeptical about the timeline. Trump claimed the system would be fully operational by the end of his term in 2029, but many analysts believe that initial phases may not be ready for years, if not longer, due to budget constraints and the complexity of the system.
Richard Shimooka, a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, pointed out that the Golden Dome would need to achieve a zero percent failure rate, especially since it would be tasked with intercepting long-range missiles, possibly even nuclear ones. He compared this challenge to Israel’s Iron Dome, which deals with shorter-range threats.
The need for an updated defense system is underscored by the evolving threats posed by countries like Russia and China. Experts have advised that Canada should consider multilayered air and missile defense systems to counter a range of potential attacks, from drones to intercontinental ballistic missiles.
In recent months, Canada has taken steps to bolster its military capabilities, including a $6 billion radar purchase from Australia and expanding military operations in the Arctic. These efforts align with the government’s broader strategy to modernize NORAD and enhance national defense.
As discussions continue, it remains to be seen how Canada will engage with the Golden Dome initiative and what role it will play in shaping North American defense strategies in the years to come.