Threats to Canada's sovereignty are increasing
Canada shares an unprotected border with a country whose president has repeatedly called for the annexation of Canada
The case for nonviolent defence
Military Defence?
A military defence, in the unlikely event of an invasion, would be ineffective and highly costly in casualties and damage to infrastructure and buildings.
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are outgunned by the superpower. But that is only part of their vulnerability. CAF are simply unprepared to defend Canada from the United States.
What was once our strength – integration with US armed forces – is now, in the Trump era, a liability.
The Case for Nonviolent Defence
Nonviolent defence is particularly appropriate to the circumstances of small countries lying on the periphery of major powers. The smaller country cannot hope to prevail through military force, or at least not without sustaining immense death and destruction (as in Ukraine).
To many, the idea that unarmed civilians could deter, and if necessary, defeat an assault and occupation by a heavily armed expeditionary force seems absurd. Yet there are many historical examples in which nonviolent movements have defeated tyrants, ousted colonizers, achieved redress of historical grievances (minority civil rights, women’s rights, landlessness, homophobia), and out-maneuvered invading forces. Gandhi was the first major historical leader to draw attention to the potential power of nonviolent defence.
Examples of success
- Denmark’s response to an invasion by Nazi Germany
- Czech response to the invasion by Warsaw Pact armies to terminate the “Prague Spring” of liberalization in 1968, and
- Ukrainian response in the early weeks of the Russian invasion of 2022.
Next Steps
The Canadian Coalition for Nonviolent Defence formed in June 2025
Our immediate priorities are :
- Establish local chapters of nonviolent defence throughout the country. These chapters would be ready to function as the nucleus of a nonviolent defence in whatever region of Canada an incursion might take place.
- Each chapter should develop a contingency plan. The chapter, in communication with local communities, would select a meeting point.
- Advocacy to government to remain strong and allow nonviolent training groups to utilize federal facilities throughout the country.
- Work out an amicable arrangement with the Canadian Armed Forces about the respective roles of the CAF and NVD in the defence of Canada.
- Forge ties with nonviolent movements in the United States so that any action against Canada will spark widespread protests in the homeland. It is obvious that most Americans are our allies, not our enemies.
The above is an edited version of Defending Canada: The Power of Nonviolent Defence, by Richard Sandbrook