The U.S. government is trying to design a system to shoot down incoming missiles from "rogue states," and would like the support of allies such as Canada.

In an exchange with the New Democrats during Question Period, Jean Chrétien said his government is not interested in participating in a North American shield against missile attacks, even though Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham said this week that he was "quite prepared" to discuss with the United States the creation of a North American missile shield.

"Earlier this week the Foreign Affairs Minister made it quite clear that he is quite prepared to have Canada participate in America's latest Star Wars Plan, the national missile defence scheme. Canada no sooner agrees to U.S. troops on our soil, and what's next? We fall in line with militarization of outer space.

Can the Prime Minister tell us, is that where Canada is headed?" NDP Leader Alexa McDonough asked during Question Period.

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien replied: "I don't think that the Minister of Foreign Affairs said anything like that. The project of the Americans on the so-called Star Wars, we're not participating in that, we have not been asked to participate — so it's just a hypothetical question that she's dealing [with]."

Mr. Chrétien said that Canada was happy to study a request by the United States asking for participation but, "if they come and make a request we'll look into that but at this moment we're not interested and that policy has been very clear and been stated in this House by myself and ministers over the years."

Earlier this week, Mr. Graham said the government is ready to talk with Washington about creating a North American shield against missile attacks. His comments came after the two countries signed a deal to co-operate on the land and sea defence of North America.

Meanwhile, a Commons foreign-affairs committee is set to release a report Thursday that casts doubts on the feasibility of the controversial Pentagon program, committee sources said.

With a report from Jeff Sallot