3.1Defending North America

PRO

Canada’s geographic proximity to the U.S. increases risk to Canada from nuclear attack.

Canada was an allie to U.S. Canada was a member of NORAD and NATO which agreed to support member nations.

USSR left to strengthen it’s power would have further increased risk of nuclear war and communism spreading

Canada could have served as a mediator and confirmed photos. They could have negotiated a settlement to the conflict and had other countries join once proof was established.

Against

Cause of Cuban missile crisis was U.S. - Cuban dispute. Not a Canadian military issue.

Canada wanted to act independently and wanted more independent proof of photos.

Canadian government did not agree to nuclear weapon use.

Canada would be involved if USSR vs. U.S. broke out, because of geography and airspace. It was in the best interest of Canadians to stop the war before it got started.

PRO

Geographically, Canada’s proximity to the U.S. and shared airspace made threats to the U.S. a shared threat with Canada.

U.S. Canada would be united against a common enemy and increase strength.

Fulling roles in NORAD and maintaining U.S. relations.

Accepting nuclear weapons does not mean they will have to be used.

Against

U.S. need Canada as an allie with or without nuclear weapons.

Accepting nuclear weapons would increase Canada as a target.

Many Canadians were against and did not want to contribute to the nuclear arms race.

Canada was a peacekeeping nation. “Middle” mediator.

PRO

“Too much money for the Nation to spend on defence”. The Arrow cost 6x more to produce than it’s American counterpart

Canada would become more technologically advanced than U.S. and potentially disrupt the power balance between U.S and Canada

The highly advanced Arrow was no longer compatible with NORAD and older technology.

The Arrow was in it’s infancy and was not as good as it was believed to be.

Against

Canada’s opportunity to become a tech leader. Supporting continued R&D into technologically advanced weapons.

Lost money on R&D and loss of jobs and intellegence/expertise.

They had to purchase a replacement from the U.S. which was inferior and all fo the investment into the Arrow was lost.

Increased dependence on U.S. for military threat and defence. Loss of military independence.