1. The Scrapping of the Avro Arrow
1.1. For
1.1.1. The production of the Avro arrow was incredibly expensive, costing about "190 million for 29 Arrows" (http://radiofreethinker.com/2012/07/04/who-killed-the-avro-arrow/), which was too much for the Canadian economy. Attempting to produce this airplane was an unrealistic financial expectation to put on the Canada.
1.1.2. The production of the Avro Arrow was too superior of a technology for the time it was proposed. If Canada developed this kind of technology, it would be intimidating to other nations, making Canada more of a target.
1.1.3. Due to the fact that the Arrow was so expensive to produce, no companies, not American or Canadian, wanted to buy it. If the plane was to be developed, it is only logical that it would be used as well.
1.1.4. The same day that the Arrow was released, the Soviets launched Sputnik into space. It became more of a priority to meet the Soviets in the space race, than to channel finances into a new aircraft.
1.2. Against
1.2.1. The aircraft was Canada's opportunity to become a leader in technology. “It broke four different records during first flight to New York,” Squires (son of an Avro Jet line worker) said. They missed the opportunity to be involved in the development of world technology.
1.2.2. The cancellation of the Avro Arrow was not only a problem for the aircraft, but also for what the company had plans for in the future. The company planned on developing new, almost fictitious, technology, none of which would ever have the chance for construction.
1.2.3. The production of the Avro Arrow would improve Canada's military standing. The jet was efficient and was planned to be used to intercept Soviet bombers. The Arrow would have been able to improve the National Security of Canada, as well as the United States. The jet could have been the needed advantage over the Soviets to sooner end the war.
1.2.4. Thousands of jobs were lost, leaving extremely skilled and well trained workers without jobs. When the Avro Arrow project was cancelled, anyone who was working on the project was forced to look elsewhere.
2. Canada's Role in the Cuban Missile Crisis
2.1. For
2.1.1. Joining President John F. Kennedy in the Cuban missile crisis would be an effective way to improve U.S Canadian relations. It was a known fact that there were tensions between the country, and when the U.S asked for support, and Canada didn't comply, it made tensions worse.
2.1.2. Canada becoming involved would add numbers (troops, weapons, ships, etc.) to the war effort. This is a significant detail because it could mean the difference between securing a win vs. a loss.
2.1.3. Canada's geographical location made Canada directly involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis, whether it wanted to be involved or not. The quickest path between the USSR and USA was directly across Canada's airspace. Pretending that Canada did not need to be involved in this issue seemed ignorant.
2.1.4. After the crisis, the citizens of Canada were asked if they supported the Cuban Missile Crisis, an 80% of the population landslide voted in support. Even during the Crisis, one reporter stated that he "people of British Columbia are overwhelmingly behind President Kennedy in the stand" (http://www.usask.ca/Diefenbaker/galleries/virtual_exhibit/Cuban_missile_crisis/finlayson_to_dief.php). This statement, although it was directed to British Colombians, could have been applied to most provinces and territories.
2.2. Against
2.2.1. The United Sates President, John F. Kennedy, had not kept Canada updated on the issue at hand, nor consulted them about methods of dealing with it. Many believe that it is the responsibility of the US government to consult the Canadian government about issues in advance so that they may be prepared to respond. Canada was not prepared for the Cuban Missile Crisis.
2.2.2. At the time of The Cold War, Prime Minister Diefenbaker and President John F. Kennedy did not get along. Prime Minister Diefenbaker didn't trust John F. Kennedy when asked to join in the Cuban Missile Crisis, this lead to Diefenbaker questioning whether it was actually a good choice for Canada.
2.2.3. The problem of the Cuban Missile Crisis was mostly a problem involving the Soviet Union and The USA, making it seem illogical for Canada to become involved in a fight they are not directly involved in. It seemed the most beneficial to Canada to stay out of a fight, and preserve lives and munitions, if possible.
2.2.4. During the time of the Cold war, Canada made some concessions and allowances to having the US operate in Canada. This was a decision made for national defense, but made Canada feel less independent as a Nation. By immediately becoming involved with the Crisis, it could appear that Canada was falling too into line with U.S wishes, and would further reduce its independence.
3. Canada's Acceptance of Nuclear Weapons in 1963
3.1. For
3.1.1. The main reason that Canada believed that it was its responsibility to accept Nuclear Weapons was because of their duty to meet the NORAD requirements. With the cancellation of the Avro Arrow, Canada had to find a new technology to meet the NORAD security requirements. Accepting Nuclear weapons was another way to do this.
3.1.2. The 1959 Conservative government had bought thousands of Bormac Missiles from the United States, only to discover that they were almost completely ineffective without a Nuclear Warhead. The accepting of the nuclear warheads would make the weapons effective and useful in the war, if necessary.
3.1.3. The Defense Minister in Canada argued that nuclear weapons were vital for the protection of Canada. It was evident that the world was fighting a nuclear war, and Canada could not risk being caught off guard in battle.
3.1.4. After the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, the relations between Canada and the US were tense. The United States government was putting pressure on the Canadian government to accept nuclear weapons, for protection of North America. Not only would accepting nuclear weapons be beneficial to the protection of both countries, it would be beneficial to the relations between the countries.
3.2. Against
3.2.1. During this time, Canada was attempting to fight for worldwide nuclear disarmament, and it would be hypocritical to accept nuclear weaponry as well. Many people believed that by accepting the nuclear weapons, it made Canada's opinion in the fight for nuclear disarmament irrelevant.
3.2.2. Everyone knew that a nuclear war would mean complete annihilation of nations. Understanding that the destruction of civilization is a possibility, many people believed that Canada should not get involved in the nuclear war. Essentially, purchasing the nuclear weaponry would mean drawing attention from the other nuclear armed, enemy, nations.
3.2.3. Having the nuclear weaponry is an unstable security method because of their certainty of use. By obtaining and arming nuclear weapons, Canada would have to be prepared to use them.
3.2.4. The Minister of Foreign Affairs was intensely against having nuclear weapons in Canada. He voiced his opinions that it was hypocritical and dangerous to Canadians, as well as being inconsistent with foreign policy. In addition to being the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he was well liked by the Prime Minister of Canada, and his opinions were trusted. The citizens of Canada also began to express their opposition to nuclear weaponry through letters and protest.