Sovereignty is the ability to control your own affairs without interference from other states. The various alliances that Canada is involved in compromise the sovereignty of the country because they greatly impact the independence of Canada and the Canadian identity. .
Through economy and cultural development Canada's sovereignty is decreased by alliances such as the North American Foreign Trade Agreement. Throughout the late twentieth century the world has increasingly become a global village. Advanced telecommunications allow television and radio programs to be beamed into Canada from the United States. With the development of affordable and powerful satellite dishes, more and more Canadians are tuning into American programs and listening to American music. Also the increasingly multicultural nature of Canada has led some people to question Canada's national identity. .
Through alliances such as NORAD Canada has become highly dependant on its military alliances with the United States, and Great Britain. Without Canada's military alliances Canada wouldn't have the military strength to withstand invasions by aggressive countries thus creating an utter dependence on highly militarized countries such as the United States. In the recent war waged by the U.S against Iraq, much controversy rose in Canada over Canada's decision to stand by the U.N stance that military action was not warranted at this time. Unless the U.N passed a resolution to go to war, Canada refused to join the U.S and Great Britain in their attack on Iraq. This political stance on Canada's part was a show of Canada's sovereign right to make its own decisions based on its membership in the U.N, but was a risky move in terms of Canada's relationship with its neighbor and trading partner the U.S. Because Canada didn't "jump in line" with the U.S military stance, the American ambassador to Canada publicly criticized Canada saying that if the situation was that Canada needed help the U.
