I don't think you can measure Canada's participation in world military events based purely on the percentage of GDP that goes into their defense budget. I'd say boots on the ground is a far more relevant stick by which to gauge participation, and Canada is certainly right in there with the other NATO countries that are involved.

Kng, since you seem to like thinking that the world is the same as it was 65 years ago, or as far back as 1812, I'm not going to bother to try and change your mind. However:

To say that NATO was a Canadian idea implies that Canada as a nation came up with the idea. That's simply not true. The actual North Atlantic Treaty was put together by a Canadian citizen. That much is true. However, NATO was already an idea that was taking form well before Canada, USA, and others were brought in on it. The signatories of the Treaty of Brussels wanted the US involved in their alliance to offset the threat of the USSR, and Canada was part of the mix.

The Canadian Corps of WWI was one of the spearhead units for the Allies along with the Australians, and even the American Expeditionary Force. To say that they were "acknowledged as the best formation" is a bit much. I think you'll get different answers to that question based on who you ask.

Canada's population is about one tenth that of the U.S. It shouldn't be surprising that they don't have scads of people in uniform running around the worlds trouble spots. The Canadian military in its entirety is about half the size of the U.S. Marine Corps. They don't need a big army. They have us. I have no problem with our armed forces serving as a proxy in the protection of Canada or any other friendly country. That's what neighbors and allies do. Or should.

As far as this somewhat painfully long thread goes I think you have to chalk it up to cultural differences. In the US we hearken back to a nation that gained freedom by fighting for it. In Canada freedom was granted to them. The end result is the same, but the mentality remains very different. I wouldn't expect a Canadian to understand the importance of our right to bear arms anymore than I can fathom their willingness to go on a months-long waiting list for medical services.