4. Holding Canadian Governments to Account for National Defence

This chapter examines how governments are held to account for defence policy decision in a Canadian context. Drawing on theories of accountability and the nature of Canada’s Westminster system of government, the chapter argues that accountability for defence affairs tends to operate subtly. Rather than involving admissions of failure or acceptance of blame, accountability is seen when governments quietly adjust their policies or engage in damage control to deflect opposition and media critiques. The chapter then provides examples, such as the F-35 and the war in Afghanistan, to demonstrate how defence accountability has unfolded in recent decades. In conclusion, the chapter discusses the limits of accountability for defence affairs in Canada and how other Westminster states compare.