The mission of NATO Association of Canada is to promote peace, prosperity, and security through knowledge and understanding of the importance of NATO.
We strive to educate and engage Canadians about NATO and NATO’s goal of peace, prosperity and security. NATO Association of Canada ensures that we have an informed citizenry able to contribute to discussions about Canada’s role on the world stage. As a leading member of the Atlantic Treaty Association (ATA), NATO Association of Canada has strong and enduring ties with sister organizations in many of the alliance countries, as well as members of NATO’s “Partnership for Peace” and “Mediterranean Dialogue” programmes. The NAOC has had a leading role in the recent transformation and modernization of the ATA, and helped to create and develop the Youth Atlantic Treaty Association (YATA). The NAOC has strong ties with the Government of Canada including Global Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence. We are constantly working to create and maintain relationships with international organizations such as the World Bank Group, the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, NATO Headquarters, the International Criminal Court, and other prominent international NGOs and think tanks.
What role can NATO play in addressing grey zone coercion in the Indo-Pacific? In this article, Joel Sawyer explores how the Alliance can strengthen regional pre-conflict deterrence and preparedness to reduce the effectiveness of coercive grey zone operations, actions, and activities.
Cyberspace has become the new realm for battles to be waged, where state/non-state-sponsored groups are exploiting cyber vulnerabilities to control critical state sectors. Cyberattacks have escalated beyond espionage and financial theft to actions that constitute acts of war, endangering national and global security. Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon, People’s Republic of China (PRC) sponsored cybergroups, Read More…
On October 1, 2025, the Rideau Club in Ottawa hosted the “EU-Canada – Advancing Defence Industrial Cooperation” event, organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Canada in partnership with the NATO Association of Canada (NAOC). The gathering brought together 86 participants, including representatives from government, industry, academia, and the diplomatic community, to explore Read More…
The dynamics of the international order are evolving, with rising levels of Great Power competition and aggressorsincreasingly challenging NATO’s defences. These changes are making it increasingly important that the Canadian government prioritizes building up domestic defence capabilities to prove itself as a reliable NATO ally and contributor to collective security. In June 2025, NATO allies renewed their Read More…
Below is the NATO Association of Canada’s publication on increasing Canada’s defence spending, with contributions from leading experts. Line of Defence: A Policy Agenda for Canada’s Defence Capabilities
During Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the world was given yet another case to underscore how cyberspace has become a battlefield. In January 2022, researchers uncovered Whisper Gate, a virus that corrupted the master boot record on targeted computers. Following on to February, another malware, Hermetic Wiper, erased data hours before the Russian invasion. Banks, ministries Read More…
Since the early 1950s, Canada has consistently deployed elements of the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in support of NATO operations. All military acts, be they waging war or preparing for it, are in furtherance of political objectives. In this vein, Canadian force commitments to NATO Read More…
On May 31, 2025, the NATO Association of Canada hosted a conference titled Safeguarding Ukraine’s Future: Security Guarantees and Demining for Recovery and Reconstruction. This publication features the keynote address delivered by a renowned journalist and policy commentator, Diane Francis, offering insights into the challenges and imperatives of securing Ukraine’s long-term recovery.
The idea of military participation in responses to natural disasters is not new. Canadian and other militaries have often played a role in responding to natural disasters in Canada and abroad. However, the increase in the frequency and impact of natural disasters in the context of climate changes requires a new, bold response. The concept Read More…
This special report provides an objective overview of the newly elected minority Liberal government’s plans regarding defence and discusses proposals from other opposition parties.