1985 CIA paper: "The Politics of Canadian Defense"

[MarkOttawa]

One of a great number of declassified docs now available online here:
https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/

This paper, in my view, accurately sums up Canadian attitudes, politics and media--and might almost be written in the same vein today.  Pity with The Donald in office:
https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP85T01058R000202840001-0.pdf

Do give it a look.  And do your own searches  .

Mark
Ottawa

 

[Ping Monkey]

Some things never change  :

"The present state of the debate on the Canadian defense policy is, to say the least, confused and contradictory.
... decades of Liberal neglect and an acute budgetary crisis, however will limit their ability to make rapid substantive improvements.
... defense policy at least for the next several years will be long on rhetoric and short on substance."

 

[MarkOttawa]

Massive 1950 CIA country study of Canada, note emphasis on Anglo (then)-Franco attitudes:
https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP78-01617A001700050001-7.pdf

Plus 1985 US DoD report on MND meeting with SecDef,
https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP84B00049R001403560039-6.pdf

and State Dept, 1985:

NSSD on U.S. Policy towards Canada
https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP87R00529R000300280007-5.pdf

How odd that the US always wants us to spend more money on defence and take it more seriously.  Ah, 'twas ever thus.

Mark
Ottawa

 

[ArmyRick]

interesting stuff

 

[Retired AF Guy]

Report on Gorbachev's 1983 visit to Canada. At the time he was the Soviet Minister for Agriculture.

https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP85T00153R000300060040-9.pdf

Then there were these two 1953 reports on the Doukhobor troubles in south-eastern B.C. prepared by the Office of Naval Intelligence!

https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP83-00423R000600100002-2.pdf

https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP83-00423R000800520001-5.pdf