Canada prepares contingency plan for hypothetical US attack
Canada is reportedly developing a contingency military plan to respond to a hypothetical US invasion, marking an unprecedented shift in defence planning. The preparations come amid rising rhetorical tensions and are framed as a worst-case scenario, with officials stressing that Ottawa does not see an attack as likely but is reassessing national resilience and allied support.
Canada has begun outlining a contingency defence plan for a hypothetical military attack by the United States, according to senior federal officials cited by the Globe and Mail. The report says this is the first time in more than a century that Ottawa has formally modelled a conflict scenario involving its southern neighbour, reflecting growing concern about strategic uncertainty rather than an expectation of imminent hostilities.
Unconventional defence scenario considered
Officials familiar with the planning said Canada lacks the capacity to confront the US military through conventional means. Instead, the scenario being examined envisions small, decentralised units made up of military personnel and civilian volunteers conducting unconventional operations, including ambushes, drone use and sabotage. The officials, who were not authorised to speak publicly, said key military sites would likely be overwhelmed within days in such a scenario.
Political context and rising rhetoric
The report follows a provocative social media post by US President Donald Trump, who shared an image depicting the American flag covering Canada and Greenland. While Canadian officials emphasised that a US attack is highly unlikely, they said the government is preparing for extreme contingencies as part of broader defence planning.
Role of allies and NATO expectations
According to the officials, Ottawa would expect support from allied nuclear-armed NATO members such as the United Kingdom and France in the event of an invasion. Retired Major-General David Fraser, who previously commanded Canadian forces in Afghanistan, told the newspaper that any attack on Canada would trigger a strong international response. He suggested that allied naval and air forces could deploy to reinforce Canada’s sovereignty.
Broader defence planning in Canada
The report also references comments by Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jennie Carignan, who has publicly supported the idea of expanding the country’s reserve force to as many as 400,000 volunteers. The planning, officials said, reflects Ottawa’s effort to reassess national defence capabilities in an increasingly unstable global environment, rather than a specific response to current US policy.
Comments you share on our site are a valuable resource for other users. Please be respectful of different opinions and other users. Avoid using rude, aggressive, derogatory, or discriminatory language.