Forgive me for nit-picking, but at the foundation of NATO and for several years thereafter, Canada had the second-largest tactical air force in W. Europe after the US. They also had a big part in keeping the sea lanes of communication between No. Am. and Europe clear by ASW and convoy escort in the event the balloon went up. A significant contributor by any lights.
I'm not trying to pound on a man (or lady, as the case may be) when he is down, but NATO was founded in 1949, or thereabouts.
"Canada had the second-largest tactical air force in W. Europe after the US."
Yup. And it was armed with NUKES.
http://www.user.dccnet.com/welcomewoods/Nuclear_Free_Georgia_Strait/clearwater.html