Our partners

Defence works closely with its many partners to carry out its missions. Defence collaborates with the responsible federal and provincial departments in areas such as counter-terrorism, emergency management, prevention of illegal fishing, illegal immigration, drug trafficking and environmental degradation. Defence also actively promotes co-operation with the private sector and Canadian universities.

Defence also works closely with high-level international partners. The United States remains Canada's most important defence partner. More than 80 defence agreements and more than 250 Memoranda of Understanding and Memoranda of Agreement are currently in force between the two countries. The North Atlantic Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) is one of the best examples of bi-national military cooperation in the world.

Canada is one of the founding member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Created in 1949 to ensure peace in the countries bordering the North Atlantic, NATO today has refocused its military posture away from the deterrence of a specific threat toward addressing current and potential security challenges. The Alliance provides the collective framework essential to the reinforcement of Canada's security, and works to promote political dialogue and co-operation throughout Europe.