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The United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Israel and a host of other allies to Canada are already part of missile programs with the U.S. Canada originally opted to stay out of the program a dozen years ago and under the nine-year Conservative reign, no action was taken to reverse the decision.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently told reporters there would be no change in Canada’s position “anytime soon,” although Liberals have promised new defence spending starting in next year’s federal budget.

Photo by Graham Hughes / The Canadian Press

But O’Toole argued escalating tensions should warrant Trudeau changing his mind. It is said North Korea could be capable of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile, complete with a nuclear warhead, by next year. That puts North America’s west coast at risk.

“Circumstances have changed dramatically, not only in the last few years but in the last few months,” O’Toole noted, adding some Liberal MPs, like former parliamentary secretary of foreign affairs John McKay, have publicly challenged their government to talk about joining the U.S. program.

“How can we be a partner for this new threat? Ballistic missile defence would be one element of that discussion. But I think being at the table with the Americans is critical. I’ve been worried that the prime minister has closed the door already to these discussions even though, by the month, the threat changes,” said O’Toole.

He added NORAD has been in place for a long time — the agreement governing it predates the North American Free Trade Agreement, and now could be an opportunity to take another look.

The House of Commons national defence committee met in August to discuss an emergency meeting on the North Korean threat. It is expected to be held within the next couple of weeks.

• Email: mdsmith@postmedia.com | Twitter: mariedanielles