blank

Voice of America ®

Trusted Source of News & Information since 1942

About VOA | Contact VOA News

  • Tuesday, 24 November 2009
  • Latest News:

News RSS Feeds RSS Feed

Canada Decides Not to Join US Missile Defense Shield System

Share This

Canada has decided not to take part in the United States' planned North American missile defense system.

Canada's decision was passed along at the NATO summit in Brussels this week, ahead of an expected announcement from Prime Minister Paul Martin Thursday.

President Bush had urged Canada to sign on to the system, still in the testing stage, which would aim to shoot down incoming missiles while still in the air.

The system has been the subject of contentious debate in Canada's House of Commons, where Mr. Martin's Liberal Party recently lost its majority.

The U.S. ambassador to Canada says Washington is perplexed by Ottawa's decision.

Last August, the two countries agreed to share data on missiles flying over North America, information the U.S. military could use to target incoming missiles.

Welcome to the new VOANews.com


We'd like to hear what you think of the site - please e-mail us: NewDesign@VOANews.com

Video Features

From the Newsroom

From the Newsroom

Afghan Politics - Analysis by Gary Thomas

More »

GoingGreen

Going Green

Watch: The United States debates cutting its carbon dioxide emissions.

More »

Money in Motion

Money in Motion

Watch: Will the declining dollar remain the world's reserve currency?

More »

Now You Know

Now You Know

Watch: A look at the origin and history of the Internet.

More »

The Link

The Link

Have you discovered a Web link you'd like to share with the world?

More »

Most Popular Articles

Special Reports

VOA Blogs

Most E-mailed Articles