Canada should hold on to U.S. military relationship: Eyre

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 1, 2026

Retired Canadian general Wayne Eyre has called for Canada to uphold its defense partnership with the United States while expanding alliances to address rising global security threats from Russia, China, and U.S. political instability. He stressed that meeting NATO's defense spending goals is vital for Canada to regain influence in major international security networks and effectively navigate a tense geopolitical landscape.

Retired Canadian general Wayne Eyre, who served as chief of the defence staff from 2021 to 2024, has urged Canada to maintain its longstanding military alliance with the United States while also seeking to build new international partnerships amid rising global security threats.

In an interview coinciding with the release of his memoir, *Into the Breach*, Eyre expressed concerns that the world is closer to large-scale conflict than it has been since the Cold War. He pointed to challenges posed by Russia and China, whose efforts to undermine the international order have intensified tensions. At the same time, Eyre noted that the current U.S. administration’s focus on consolidating domestic political power creates unpredictability for global stability, prompting Canada to diversify its alliances.

“Canada needs to increase the number of like-minded friends, partners, and allies it works with, but at the same time, not discard existing alliances because of the many possible future scenarios out there,” Eyre said.

The former chief of the defence staff emphasized the continued importance of the Canada-U.S. military relationship, dismissing recent speculative concerns about a U.S. invasion of Canada. He highlighted the risks of domestic disorder spilling over from the United States due to political polarization, but reinforced confidence in the millions of Americans with positive ties to Canada. Eyre stressed the need for ongoing direct communication between military leaders on both sides of the border as essential to managing bilateral relations.

Eyre’s memoir reflects on his 40-plus years in uniform, chronicling both operational experiences and institutional challenges facing the Canadian Armed Forces. He candidly discusses friction with political leadership, particularly under the Liberal government led by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. One notable episode involved public criticism from Trudeau and then-Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland over Eyre’s decision to retain navy commander Vice-Admiral Craig Baines after Baines played golf with former chief of the defence staff Jon Vance, who was under investigation for sexual misconduct at the time. Eyre described feeling undermined and recalled being prepared to resign during a tense phone call with Trudeau—a resignation he ultimately did not submit.

The memoir also acknowledges Eyre’s earlier limitations regarding sexual misconduct within the military and his gradual recognition of the issue as a significant challenge.

Eyre further reflects on Canada’s struggle to assert itself within major intelligence-sharing and security pacts. He recounts being informed by a British military commander that Canada’s delayed military spending had excluded it from participation in a key segment of the AUKUS alliance, despite Canada’s strategic plans to raise defence spending to meet NATO’s two-percent GDP guideline. Under the current government of Prime Minister Mark Carney, Canada has now met that target, an achievement Eyre views as critical to restoring Canada’s place among major defence partners.

Overall, Eyre’s assessment underscores a period of transition and urgency for Canada’s military amid shifting global dynamics, emphasizing a balance between strengthening existing alliances and forging new ones to address the complex security environment ahead.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.