With the help of maps showing a polar projection, a brief analysis is given here of the ups and downs of the relative geostrategic importance of the Canadian territory since the Second World War. Whether the superpowers have confronted each other mainly with bombers, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and/or nuclear submarines, Canadian interests are directly concerned and the defence stand of the country has had to be adjusted accordingly. Over this period of time, the factor "technology" has dominated over the other factors like "internal policy" or the "perception of external threat".