Minister Dion visits North American Aerospace Defence Command
News Release
August 8, 2016 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today visits the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Minister Dion is meeting with the United States’ General Lori Robinson, Commander of NORAD, and Canada’s Lieutenant-General Pierre St-Amand, Deputy Commander of NORAD, to discuss NORAD’s role in the defence and security of North America. He will tour the NORAD Command Centre, as well as the alternate Command Centre, which is located in the Cheyenne Mountain Complex.
Collaboration between Canada and the United States through NORAD remains a powerful example of the trust between the nations. NORAD is a binational military command formally established in 1958. Initially tasked to monitor and defend North American airspace by tracking man-made objects, such as satellites and missiles, and warning of external attacks against the continent by aircraft or missiles, it has evolved in response to new threats, both internal and external, and now conducts aerospace warning and aerospace control as well as maritime warning in the defence of North America.
Quotes
“Defence and security relations between Canada and the United States are long-standing, well-entrenched and highly successful. Our NORAD partnership is a powerful symbol of the trust and confidence between Canada and the United States in the common defence of our nations and borders.”
- Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
- The United States is Canada’s most important ally and defence partner.
- The long history of the Canada-United States partnership on defence is based on shared interests and values and a joint commitment to the defence of North America.
- For more than 50 years, Canada and the United States have cooperated closely through NORAD, making it a critical element of North American defence and an effective and unique binational command.
- Canada and the United States share a land border close to 9,000 kilometres (over 5,500 miles) in length.
- Canadians and Americans under NORAD command were the first military responders to the attacks on September 11, 2001.
Associated links
Contacts
Chantal Gagnon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
343-203-1851
chantal.gagnon@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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