Ottawa Didn’t Provide ‘Credible’ Response to Pentagon’s Proposed Defence Pact: US Official A senior U.S. defense official stated that the Pentagon provided Ottawa with a classified paper detailing priorities for a collective North American defense pact. However, Ottawa’s response was deemed not “credible,” contributing to a rift in defense cooperation. Canada’s delayed decision on procuring F-35 fighter jets was also highlighted as a point of frustration.

• A high-ranking U.S. defense official claims Ottawa did not provide a “credible” response to a classified Pentagon paper on North American defense pact priorities.
• This lack of response is one of several irritants causing a rift in North American defense cooperation.
• Canada’s delayed decision on acquiring F-35 fighter jets is also cited as a source of frustration by the U.S. official.