Feb. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin said his country won't join the U.S. ballistic-missile defense system for North America.

``We respect the right of the U.S. to defend itself and its people,'' Martin told reporters after a cabinet meeting in Ottawa today. ``Ballistic missile defense isn't where we will concentrate our efforts.''

To contact the reporter on this story: Greg Quinn in Ottawa at gquinn1@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: February 24, 2005 12:26 EST