Christian Leuprecht and Todd Hataley lay out a blunt assessment that should make every Canadian uncomfortable. As global threats mount, Canada’s reputation as a dependable partner in North American defence is slipping. Talk of “elbows up” sovereignty sounds tough on the campaign trail, but it rings hollow when our actual contributions to continental security remain underwhelming.
The piece highlights what many have quietly observed for years: we’ve grown comfortable letting the United States shoulder a disproportionate share of the burden while we underfund our military, drag our feet on procurement, and maintain porous borders. This isn’t sustainable. In an era of Chinese aggression, Russian adventurism, and hybrid warfare, reliability isn’t optional — it’s the price of admission to real influence and protection.
True North has been ringing this bell because the stakes are too high to keep kicking the can. A serious country invests in its own defence, honours its alliances, and treats security as a core responsibility rather than an afterthought. Canadians deserve leaders who prioritize substance over slogans, who understand that strong partnerships require strong contributions from our side too.
The window for easy choices is closing. Canada can either step up and earn its seat at the table, or keep pretending the problem belongs to someone else. The latter path leads to diminished sovereignty, not greater independence. The choice should be obvious.
