Concerns are growing over Washington, the Kremlin, and Beijing's expanding presence and strategic interests in the Canadian Arctic. With the United States reportedly planning to use "economic force" to make Canada its 51st state, a pressing question emerges: What should Canada do to guarantee its sovereignty?
Recent events add weight to these concerns. According to reports from the Boston Globe, while visiting a Vermont-Quebec border community, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stood on the American side and declared, “USA Number 1.” She then crossed into Canadian territory, repeatedly asserting, “The 51st state.” Witnesses report that she made this statement multiple times, emphasizing "USA Number 1" without any acknowledgment of "Canada." This incident starkly underscores the implicit challenge to Canadian sovereignty.
Adding to this, the 25% economic measures being directed at Canada by the United States are designed to destabilize the nation’s economy, paving the way for annexation through trade. These measures, which include leveraging trade dependencies and Arctic resource claims, appear to be part of a broader strategy to weaken Canada’s economic resilience and sovereignty.
The annexation plan, it seems, is already underway. On March 4, 2025, Rep. Carlos Gimenez, referring to Trump's 25% tariffs while speaking on CNN, alluded to military strikes on Canada as a potential option, stating: "Instead of taking kinetic action, he's taking economic action in order to protect American lives." This remark suggests that while economic pressure is the current tactic, military force remains a card the U.S. might play, heightening the stakes for Canada’s defense strategy.
Proponents of a "Canada First" approach often overlook a key fact - nations with nuclear capabilities are rarely, if ever, annexed. This is a lesson Ukraine has learned through painful experience. Canada stands alone in this geopolitical landscape, and perhaps the examples of Ukraine and Taiwan offer valuable insights worth heeding.
Elon Musk, who some say is President Trump’s closest advisor, is calling on the United States to withdraw from NATO and the United Nations. If the U.S. does as Musk recently stated on Twitter, ditching NATO and the UN, it would mark a seismic geopolitical shift. Canada must urgently reconsider everything - NORAD, trade, intelligence sharing, and border security. Speaking at Mar-a-Lago on January 7, 2025, President-elect Donald Trump escalated the rhetoric, saying, “No, economic force. Because Canada and the United States, that would really be something,” hinting at leveraging Canada’s Arctic wealth to absorb the country as the 51st state.
As Henry Kissinger once observed, "It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." Canada’s military and security intelligence apparatus must accept this new reality and adapt to the possibility of the United States becoming an adversary.
On top of these threats from the United States, it’s becoming clear that the geopolitical landscape facing Canada is shifting fast in other parts of the world as well. The stakes couldn’t be higher. With Russia and China flexing their military muscles through advanced hypersonic missile technology, every Canadian - whether in a bustling city or a remote Arctic hamlet - now lives under a shadow of vulnerability. These weapons, capable of speeds exceeding Mach 5, unpredictable trajectories, and potentially nuclear payloads, pose a direct threat to our way of life. In the words of Captain Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation, facing the relentless Borg: “They fight us, and we fall back. They assimilate entire planets, and we fall back. Well, we draw a line in the sand here - no further.” Canada cannot keep retreating as foreign powers encroach; the time to stand firm is now, with the Arctic and our identity at stake.
One clear path forward could be developing a nuclear program, leveraging Canada’s world-class uranium reserves in Saskatchewan - a key component of nuclear technology - which would not only bolster deterrence but also enable Canada to reach the 2% of GDP target for defense spending. It would also allow Canada to develop a robust air force and navy base in the country’s north, enhancing our ability to project defense in the Arctic if needed. This would further ensure Canada secures a voice at the table of all major military defense organizations, amplifying our influence on global security matters.
Building military and scientific strength to ensure sovereignty is critical for Canada’s future. In an era of shifting global alliances and increasing competition for resources, Canada must prioritize strengthening our defense capabilities and technological innovation. Beyond security, this initiative could spur scientific and academic research in Canada, attracting top talent from around the world to what could be our cutting-edge programs.
By developing a robust military presence and fostering cutting-edge scientific research, Canada can safeguard our water, critical minerals, and energy - both hydroelectric and fossil fuels. We can protect our borders, protect our national interests, and assert our independence on the global stage - a move many argue would decisively ensure Canada’s borders remain uncompromised by strategic adversaries while elevating our global standing. Hypersonic missiles like Russia’s Zircon and China’s DF-17 can deliver devastation in minutes, and Canada’s undefended northern expanse is a bullseye. Building a dual-purpose military - able to defend against and attack with hypersonic and nuclear tech - secures our borders.
As Albert Camus once wrote, "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion." This approach not only enhances security but also positions Canada as a forward-thinking leader in addressing future challenges. It’s time for Canada to become the master of its own home, asserting our place as a sovereign power capable of navigating the complexities of an increasingly uncertain world.
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