Washington, May 19 -- A senior U.S. defence official said on Monday that Washington was pausing a long-standing bilateral defence forum with Canada to reassess its value, citing concerns over Ottawa's military commitments.

He also said North American security depended on both countries investing in their own defence capabilities to ensure long-term safety and prosperity.

The Permanent Joint Board on Defense was created in 1940 to coordinate military cooperation between Canada and the United States, particularly on continental security issues.

Neither the U.S. Department of Defense nor the Government of Canada immediately issued formal statements elaborating on the reported pause.

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