The story of Canada in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is one of consistent support and involvement but of varying levels of military and diplomatic engagement. Canada in NATO, 1949–2019 provides the first analysis of Canada’s involvement in the Atlantic Alliance – from the negotiations leading to the alliance’s charter in 1949 to NATO’s seventieth anniversary – exploring how the country’s role in NATO has evolved over the years.

As one of NATO’s early, foremost participants, Canada was a major force contributor in the 1950s. Briefly deploying more modern fighter aircrafts in Europe than the United States had, as well as a naval commitment that would have been responsible for 10 per cent of ship escorts across the North Atlantic, Canada became the “odd man out” of the western alliance as the Cold War wore on due to its spotty military contributions. Yet Canada eventually re-emerged as a significant member through its contributions to NATO peace enforcement operations in the Balkans in the 1990s and its heavy contributions to operations in Afghanistan in the early twenty-first century, finding itself in the unfamiliar position of criticizing many of the allies by which it had for so long been criticized. As the lead nation for the alliance’s “enhanced forward presence” in Latvia, Canada still plays an important and highly visible role in NATO’s efforts in Eastern Europe today.

Canada in NATO, 1949–2019 sheds light on how NATO profoundly shaped Canadian defence and foreign policy, while also serving vital Canadian security and diplomatic interests.

Joseph T. Jockel is Frank P. Piskor Professor of Canadian Studies at St Lawrence University.

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Joel J. Sokolsky is professor of political science at the Royal Military College of Canada.

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"Canada in NATO, 1949-2019 is an ambitious and comprehensive endeavour undertaken by two authors who are leading experts on Canadian security and defence policy. This book will certainly make a significant contribution to the debate on Canada's role in the North Atlantic Alliance, and will provide a useful reference for policy-makers, security and defence experts, and scholars of international relations." Kim Richard Nossal, Queen's University, and co-author of The Politics of Canadian Foreign Policy

“In this masterful study of Canada’s contribution to the NATO alliance, two leading experts in the field … unravel the country’s engagement within the international defence pact. This short, pithy and informed book will be the basis for future studies, a staple in university classrooms, and likely situated at the edge of policy makers’ desks.” Canadian Military History

"Quite simply, this is going to be, for some years to come, a 'must read' for anyone interested in Canada's important NATO linkages. Nothing else, to my knowledge, is close to matching this book in the sweep of its coverage and the eloquence of its exposition." David G. Haglund, Queen's University and co-editor of Security, Strategy, and the Global Economics of Defence