ASEANNETWORKNEWS| Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has acknowledged that his government has spent the past year preparing contingency plans for what he described as an extreme risk, including the possibility of a military invasion by the United States.
Carney said the preparations were part of responsible risk management rather than an indication that Ottawa considers a US invasion to be an immediate or likely scenario.
Carney made the remarks in an interview with The New York Times, amid increasingly tense relations between Canada and the United States.
According to Carney, his government has a responsibility to assess even the most extreme risks facing the country. He emphasized that preparing for such a scenario does not mean that an invasion is the government's baseline expectation.
The Canadian government has also taken steps aimed at reducing its dependence on the United States in several strategic areas.
Among the measures being considered are changes to Canada's military procurement and communications infrastructure. Ottawa has reviewed its plans involving US-made F-35 fighter jets and has considered alternatives from European manufacturers, including Sweden's Saab Gripen.
Canada has also planned to move away from the Starlink satellite communications system operated by Elon Musk, according to reports.
The preparations come against the backdrop of repeated tensions between Ottawa and Washington. US President Donald Trump has previously suggested that Canada could become the 51st US state, a proposal that Carney has rejected.
Trade disputes have also contributed to the deterioration in bilateral relations, with tariffs imposed by Washington and retaliatory measures from Ottawa.
The two countries share one of the world's longest international borders and have traditionally maintained close economic, defense and diplomatic ties. The recent tensions have nevertheless prompted Canada to reassess some of its strategic dependence on its southern neighbor.
Carney has continued to emphasize Canada's sovereignty in response to Trump's statements. The Canadian government has also sought to strengthen relationships with other international partners as part of its broader effort to diversify its economic and strategic ties.
Carney's disclosure highlights the extent to which recent tensions with Washington have affected Canada's strategic planning. However, the Canadian prime minister has made clear that preparing for a potential invasion is a risk-management exercise and does not mean Ottawa expects such an attack to occur.
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