Defence of Canada from 1949 to 2024

Course Description:
This course covers the period from the entrance of Canada into NATO in 1949 to the NORAD modernization process of 2024 posing the question: what does it mean to “defend” Canada?  The topics that will be discussed are:

• Coming out of the Second World War, Canada had the 4th largest military, but how would it organize and train for the new “Cold War”;
• Canada was a founding member of NATO, but insisted on a “Canadian” article in the Washington Treaty.  Darling to laggard, Canada’s role in NATO’s 75 year history deserves closer scrutiny;
• With NORAD’s Canadian headquarters in Winnipeg, and being the first line of defence for North America, the missions and evolution of NORAD will be discussed;
• From the Suez Canal to Afghanistan, Is Canada’s legacy as a peacekeeper a myth or is it the definition of peacekeeping that needs adjusting; and
• The future of war, to include the importance of space and Canada’s significant role.  Technology and revolutions in military affairs mean Canada’s approach to war changes often.  War is likely to involve all domains and catch everyone off guard in the future. At the same time, assistance to municipalities in the wake of natural disasters is on the rise and likely to require even more military. How will Canada prepare? And might a whole of society approach be needed?

Dates and time:
Tues Nov 5     1:30-3:30pm                    Thomas Sill Multi-Purpose Room
Tues Nov 12   1:30-3:30pm                    Thomas Sill Multi-Purpose Room
Tues Nov 19   1:30-3:30pm                    Thomas Sill Multi-Purpose Room
Tues Nov 26   1:30-3:30pm                    Thomas Sill Multi-Purpose Room
Tues Dec 3     1:30-3:30pm                    Thomas Sill Multi-Purpose Room
Tues Dec 10   1:30-3:30pm                    Thomas Sill Multi-Purpose Room

Biographies:
Professor Andrea Charron is a Professor, Political Studies, and the Director, Centre for Defence and Security Studies at the University of Manitoba. She has degrees from Queen’s University, Webster University in The Netherlands, and PhD from the Royal Military College in Kingston.  She has written extensively on Arctic security and continental defence issues.

Professor James Fergusson is a retired Professor specializing in International Relations and past Director Centre for Defence and Security Studies at the University of Manitoba.  He has been commissioned to write several reports for the Department of National Defence and Department of Foreign Affairs.

If you are experiencing difficulty with the online registration process, please call (204) 988-7650 to register by phone.

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If you have any questions about this course, or would like to be added to a waitlist, please email b.doran@uwinnipeg.ca