Defence bank is a hot potato
The competition to land the NATO defence bank is percolating in the media, Quebec’s politicians saying Montreal is the logical choice and accusing Toronto of a fear campaign over a possible independence referendum should the PQ win in October.
bob 09:11 on 2026-05-09 Permalink
I was under the impression that it was going to Gatineau, but I can’t remember why.
Darth Canuck 10:22 on 2026-05-09 Permalink
The fear is well-founded. Consequences follow from actions. If separatists do not like this looming outcome, they might want to reconsider their words and deeds.
Tim S. 12:54 on 2026-05-09 Permalink
Unless an independent Quebec stays in NATO, in which case it doesn’t matter.
H. John 13:09 on 2026-05-09 Permalink
The Defence, Security and Resilience Bank is a proposed multilateral defence bank for NATO countries and allied states.
I think the press is lazy and misleading calling it the NATO bank. It’s not formed by NATO. It’s not controlled by NATO. NATO members Germany and the UK have both at various times distanced themselves from it.
Kate 13:47 on 2026-05-09 Permalink
Thank you, H. John.
in which case it doesn’t matter.
I think it would matter, Tim S., because breaking up a country introduces unknown instabilities which are a thing you would not want in the place where you’re putting a big security headquarters.
Tim S. 15:03 on 2026-05-09 Permalink
H. John’s precision aside, I’ll point out that both NATO and the EU have their headquarters in Belgium. I’m not especially up-to-date on Belgian politics, but isn’t Flemish independence also a thing?
Nicholas 16:06 on 2026-05-09 Permalink
Tim, Brussels isn’t part of Flanders, though it is surrounded by it. There were many concerns about putting the UN in NYC, the largest city of a great power: would it block access to certain countries, would it be the site of bombing, etc. These things are like 30+-year commitments, you don’t want instability. It’s probably not a big concern, but it is a concern.