Historical Traditions and the Inevitability of European Ties

The traditional view that Canada's relations with Europe are a significant influence on Canadian life and Canada's international role no longer prevails in Canadian politics. New immigration and multiculturalism encourage other than (West) European inputs; in addition, decisions taken in 1987-88 seem to bring economic and military-strategic tendencies toward continentalism and sover-eignty to their logical conclusion, at the expense of reaffirmation of ties with Europe and Atlanticism. However, Canada's security remains tied to North America and Europe, and Canada's interest in being seen as an involved international actor also implies inevitable ties with Europe, via trade and through investments and collaboration in high-technology ventures. In the past four decades, Ottawa had to bow to the force of the argument that the North Atlantic Alliance might do without a Canadian military contribution but that Canada could not afford to forgo the goodwill of its partners in the inescapable security community. After the end of the divisions that accompanied the Cold War, both Canada and Europe will have to assess the lessons of the 1947-89 epoch. This article attempts to spotlight the main stakes in the developments between Canada, the United States, and NATO Europe.