This trilateral treaty, also known by the acronym AUKUS, was announced in September 2021. His goal, according to many, is to offset China’s growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, where Canada has major economic interests.

Much attention was paid to this treaty when the United States and the United Kingdom announced their intention to provide Australia with nuclear submarines.

However, Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) Vice Admiral Bob Auchterlonie told The Canadian Press that the treaty goes further.

Underwater nuclear technology has been around for a while, so it’s not that important to share. It gets more serious when it comes to advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning or quantum mechanical learning. These areas are changing rapidly.

” We have to be part of these discussions. Why weren’t we admitted? Where does the resistance come from? Is that our policy? Will we invest? These are issues of concern. »

Mystery in Ottawa

The federal government never explained why Canada was not part of AUKUS. We don’t even know if he was invited to sign that contract. Defense Minister Anita Anand’s office again avoided answering the question last week.

Daniel Minden, a spokesman for Ms Anand, preferred to talk about Canada’s involvement in the Five Eyes – an alliance bringing together the intelligence agencies of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States – to NATO and NORAD.

We continue to work with our closest allies to keep Canadians safe through the Five Eyes and our bilateral partnershipswrote Mr. Minden in an e-mail.

The Australian High Commission and the US Embassy forwarded the questions to officials in their respective capitals. The UK High Commission did not respond.

For some pundits, Canada’s absence from that treaty could be explained by a perception that it wasn’t tough enough with China.

In recent months, Canada has hardened its stance on Beijing. He shut the door on Chinese telecom giant Huawei to develop the country’s 5G network, imposed new restrictions on foreign ownership of critical minerals and announced a new Indo-Pacific strategy.

Vice-Admiral Auchterlonie praises this new strategy, which includes deploying more warships and other military assets in the region, as well as greater military cooperation with different countries.

” This strategy and the ban on Chinese companies investing in the north are steps in the right direction for Canada. We recognize the challenges we face. »

Pressure on Canada

US officials have long warned Canada not to release sensitive information unless Ottawa takes a stronger stance on China. This was particularly the case during the administration of Donald Trump and Canada’s dithering regarding the 5G network.

I work with our Five Eyes partners. I have not noticed any change in the exchange of information, stresses Vice-Admiral Auchterlonie. It’s a good sign.

This senior officer said he was aware of the existence of a political dimension to Canada’s absence from the AUKUS. He admits he may not need to voice his concerns about it.

It’s probably not my role, but you have to face the truth: what am I living on? I represent the operational side of the armed forces. So am I worried? Do I want to be with our closest allies? Yes! Absolutely. This is important given the technology transfer involved. Canada has to be there.