Canada and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

The North Atlantic Treaty was signed in Washington on April 4, 1949 establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This military alliance was designed to promote the stability of the North Atlantic area and to safeguard the freedom of its people, based on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and international law.

Canada has been a member of North Atlantic Treaty Organization since its foundation. Learn more about Canada in NATO.

NATO is an inter–governmental organisation in which decisions are taken by consensus. It is governed by the North Atlantic Council, a civilian body representing the governments of member states. Chairing the Council is the NATO Secretary General. The Military Committee reports to the Council. It represents the armed forces of the member states.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is the only international organization with an integrated command structure, standardized operating procedures and standing forces available for expeditionary deployment.

NATO currently has 28 members: Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.