Is Canada going continental? This week, Prime Minister Mark Carney quietly signed Canada up for the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, part of the European Union’s plan to rebuild its military industrial base by 2030. Membership gives countries access to 150-billion euros (C$243 billion) in loans to back defence manufacturing.

Canada is the first non-EU country to join. In a joint statement, Carney and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen called the agreement “the next step in our deepening cooperation and symbolic of the shared priorities of the European Union and Canada.” The announcement follows Ottawa’s recent flirtation with Sweden’s Saab JAS 39 Gripen jets, as a possible alternative to the American Lockheed Martin F-35s.

But is this about getting the best equip

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