In May Stephen Harper, the prime minister, unveiled a new defence strategy called Canada First, with a pledge to increase the annual budget for the military by two-thirds over 20 years.

ECONOMIST: Canada's military

Defence officials, on the other hand, have argued that Norad gives Canada some influence in continental defence planning, as well as effective surveillance of its airspace.

ECONOMIST: Canada

Froch, who was making the first defence of the title he won against Canada's Jean Pascal last December, is now unbeaten in 25 fights.

BBC: Froch challenges Calzaghe again

Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper reports that the Information Commission is investigating seven government departments: Environment, Fisheries and Oceans, Natural Resources, National Defence, the Treasury Board Secretariat, National Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

BBC: Has Canada's government been muzzling its scientists?

Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper reports that Canada's Information Commission is investigating seven government departments: Environment, Fisheries and Oceans, Natural Resources, National Defence, the Treasury Board Secretariat, National Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

BBC: Has Canada's government been muzzling its scientists?

Since 1958, Canada has been a partner in the North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad), whose object is to detect and destroy incoming aircraft or cruise missiles.

ECONOMIST: Stumbling towards a new world role

Huawei equipment for America and Canada, he says, is independently vetted by Electronic Warfare Associates, an American defence contractor well supplied with security clearances and experience.

ECONOMIST: Huawei