Canada has supported each of nato’s major initiatives since its inception. The current transformation of the Alliance, including the reintegration of France into its integrated military command structures, will have an undeniable impact on the future of Canada’s international security policy. To assess this impact, the article first highlights the convergence of France’s and Canada’s Atlanticist policies, which its labels inclusive institutional balancing strategies. Faced with the dilemma of a global and expeditionary nato or a defensive alliance and European pillar, the article concludes that Canada can overcome the alleged dichotomy of its choice by putting forward a policy of national and regional ownership of conflict resolution processes.