Thank you for your question.
It is a very good question. It was in fact one of the first questions that we tackled in collaboration with the U.S. as we got the NORAD modernization effort up and running—that is, how to define exactly what we meant by NORAD modernization. Based on mutual agreement between Canada and the U.S., we agreed that there was sufficient work to do to enhance NORAD's capabilities to fulfill its current mandate of aerospace warning and control and maritime warning, and not to even look at expanding the mandate of NORAD at this time. We finished this round of NORAD modernization, and in fact no commitment was made to look at it in the future.
I would just add that there are other mechanisms of bilateral collaboration between Canada and the U.S. We have what's called the “tri command” arrangement between the Canadian joint operations command, NORAD, and the U.S. where there's a venue to collaborate on land operations, and also through other mechanisms on cyber-defence as well. Above and beyond NORAD, there are lots of opportunities for collaboration.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.