public, Montenegro. The invitation has
produced a mix of contradicting responses
— approval, disinterest, riots and a plea to
organize a national referendum.
Although diverging opinions are present
even here in Canada, which has been a
NATO member since the organization’s
inception, rigorous education and pub-
lic awareness efforts have smoothed the
ripples. When the North Atlantic Treaty
was first signed, each of the founding 12
members set up detached organizations
for the purposes of promotion and educa-
tion. In Canada, the NATO Association of
Canada (NAOC) informs Canadians about
NATO and the nation’s role in NATO. All of
the individual country associations, includ-
ing NAOC, are members of the umbrella
establishment, the Atlantic Treaty Associa-
tion (ATA).
“Our role is to inform Canadians broad-
ly about security issues and specifically
“Our role is to inform Canadians broadly about security issues and specifically
about NATO and Canada’s role in NATO.” Julie Lindhout, president
NAOC President Julie Lindhout presenting the Hon. John Baird with an official NAOC tie.
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business elite canada
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SEPTEMBER 2016
