OTTAWA –
There are concerns at the highest levels of the Canadian armed forces that the country will not have access to the same cutting-edge military technology as its closest allies because it is not part of a security pact between Australia, Britain and the United States.
The trilateral treaty, called “AUKUS” after the three countries involved, was announced in September 2021 in what many saw as an attempt to counter China’s growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, where Canada has growing economic interests and security interests.
While much of the attention surrounding the pact has focused on US and British plans to provide nuclear submarine technology to Australia, Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlony told The Canadian Press in a recent interview that this is not the whole story.
Ochterlony is the commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command. In this role, he is responsible for managing dozens of military operations at home and abroad, while closely monitoring the threats and challenges facing Canada and the armed forces.
“The fact is that the technology (for nuclear submarines) has been around for a while, so sharing it is not a big deal,” he said.
“The problem is when you start talking about advanced technology in terms of artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum technology, all these things that really matter for progress. These are conversations we need to be having. And the problem is: Why aren’t we included in this? Is it resistance to get involved? Do we have political constraints? Or will we just not invest? This is the question. So that’s a serious concern.”
The federal Liberal government has not said why Canada is not part of AUKUS or even whether it has been invited, with Defense Minister Anita Anand’s office again skirting the issue last week.
Anand spokesman Daniel Minden instead referred to Canada’s participation in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which includes Australia, Britain, the United States and New Zealand, as well as the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the NATO military alliance .
“Through the Five Eyes and our bilateral partnerships, we will continue to work with our closest allies to keep Canadians safe,” Minden said in an email.
The Australian High Commissioner and the US Embassy in Ottawa referred questions to their respective capitals. Britain’s High Commission did not respond to a request for comment.
Some analysts earlier questioned whether Canada’s absence was an indication of impatience about Ottawa’s perceived failure to be tough with China.
In recent months, the government has hardened its stance toward China in a variety of ways, including by banning Huawei technology from Canada’s 5G network, new restrictions on foreign ownership of critical minerals and the unveiling of an Indo-Pacific strategy.
This strategy is intended to signal a significant shift in federal policy and priorities toward the region given its growing importance to Canada’s economy and security. He specifically identified China as an “increasingly disruptive global power.”
Many of these actions, such as the ban on Huawei, came only after allies were frustrated by long delays. Some critics said the government was still not taking a hard enough line with Beijing.
Ochterlony praised the Indo-Pacific strategy, which includes pledges to deploy more naval warships and other military assets to the region while building closer defense ties with a range of different countries.
“The strategy that we just came up with and the fact that we’ve now blocked (Chinese) companies from investing in the North was a positive step for Canada, a really positive step,” he added. “I think we recognize the challenge we face.
He also reported that there has been no discernible change when it comes to Canada’s participation in the Five Eyes alliance.
US officials have warned for years that they could withhold sensitive intelligence if Canada does not take a tougher stance on China, particularly during the Trump administration and as the Liberal government has repeatedly delayed a decision on Huawei and 5G.
“I work with my Five Eyes partners around the world and I haven’t seen a change in terms of the information sharing part,” Ochterlony said. “So it’s good.”
However, he expressed concern about Canada’s lack of participation in AUKUS, although he acknowledged that the issue has political dimensions and it may not be his place as a military officer to express such an opinion.
“It’s probably not my canvas, but the fact is: What do I do for a living?” he said.
“I am the operational side of the armed forces. So, am I worried? Do I want to be engaged with our closest allies in things? Yes I want. Absolutely. And I think it’s critical given where you see technology going. Canada needs to be a part of that.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on January 15, 2023.
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