Canada will not participate in war in Iran, defence minister says
Mar 9th 2026
Defence Minister David McGuinty said Ottawa will not participate in the war in Iran and was not consulted by the U.S. or Israel, while Canada monitors NATO activity, assesses defence impacts, and coordinates evacuations for thousands of Canadians in the region.
- Defence Minister David McGuinty said Canada will not be participating in offensive actions against Iran.
- The Prime Minister’s Office said Canada was not consulted before U.S. and Israeli strikes and has no plans to join them.
- Canada has not decided whether to join NATO assistance to Gulf states and is monitoring allied moves.
- Chief of the Defence Staff and NATO counterparts are assessing impacts on military readiness and ammunition, including effects on support for Ukraine.
- Nearly 110,000 Canadians are registered in the Middle East, with 9,185 requesting assistance and 5,267 asking to leave the region.
- The government is arranging evacuations using commercial flights and ground transport, and consular help is available in neighbouring countries.
- The House of Commons will hold a debate on Canada’s response and its impact on Canadians abroad, which the prime minister will not attend.
- Opposition Conservatives are demanding clearer information and an emergency debate on the conflict’s effect on global energy supplies.