 Defence against ballistic missiles was also becoming a priority . The existence of Sputnik had also raised the possibility of attacks from space , and , as the year progressed , word of a " missile gap " began spreading . An American brief of the meeting with Pearkes records his concern Canada could not afford defensive systems against both ballistic missiles and manned bombers . It is also said Canada could afford the Arrow or Bomarc / SAGE , but not both . 
