国际治理创新中心-未来十年加拿大面临的新安全挑战（英）-2021.10-26页_344kb

Summary of Reimagining a Canadian National Security Strategy

Core Content

Reimagining a Canadian National Security Strategy is a comprehensive project by the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) aimed at redefining Canada's national security approach in the face of evolving global and domestic threats. The report highlights the need for a more inclusive, dynamic, and society-wide framework that integrates various stakeholders beyond traditional federal agencies.

Main Points

• Shift in Security Landscape: Canada's national security context has moved from a stable, bipolar Cold War model to a more complex and dynamic one, influenced by the rise of authoritarian powers and the impact of the global pandemic.

• New Threats: The report identifies a range of emerging security challenges, including:

  • Cyber threats (ransomware, disinformation, cyberattacks)
  • Unlawful electoral interventions
  • Authoritarian state and non-state actors (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea)
  • Biological risks from pandemics
  • Criminal networks operating in the global drug trade and targeting Canadian infrastructure

• Strategic Intelligence Framework: A new, integrated approach to strategic intelligence is needed, involving not only federal agencies but also local police, academic institutions, civil society, and private sector entities. This framework should be transparent and well-articulated to ensure public understanding and support.

• Geopolitical Context: The fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War have contributed to a more complex security environment. Canada now faces challenges from both state and non-state actors, including those from the Arctic region and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

• Societal Involvement: National security is no longer solely the responsibility of the government. It must be a shared societal obligation, with a focus on awareness, resilience, and collaboration across all levels of society.

• Policy Recommendations:

  • Develop a society-wide national security narrative.
  • Create a clear and regularly updated statement of national security interests.
  • Enhance transparency and public engagement.
  • Invest in robust, fair, and well-governed supply chain accountability.
  • Strengthen international intelligence-sharing alliances (e.g., Five Eyes, NATO).

Key Information

• Project Overview: CIGI led an interdisciplinary project involving over 250 experts from government, industry, academia, and civil society, examining 10 thematic areas of national security.

• Authors: Hugh Segal and Ann Fitz-Gerald are the lead authors, with Segal having a background in Canadian politics and intelligence, and Fitz-Gerald specializing in security and justice policy.

• Intelligence Partners: The report emphasizes the importance of partnerships with agencies like CSIS, CSE, FINTRAC, and CBSA, as well as the RCMP, in a coordinated national security effort.

• Global Trends: The rise of China's "wolf warrior diplomacy" and its global economic influence through the BRI, along with Russia's increased presence in the Arctic, are key global security trends impacting Canada.

• Demographic and Social Factors: Canada's diverse population and proximity to the United States and the Arctic make it vulnerable to both internal and external threats, necessitating a more inclusive and adaptable security strategy.

• Legal and Democratic Foundations: The report underscores the importance of maintaining democratic principles, including the rule of law, judicial independence, and a free press, as integral to Canada's national security framework.

Recommendations

• Strategic Intelligence: Develop a strategic intelligence framework that is inclusive, transparent, and society-wide.
• National Security Narrative: Promote a national security narrative that involves all segments of Canadian society.
• International Collaboration: Strengthen international intelligence-sharing and strategic partnerships.
• Supply Chain Resilience: Invest in secure and resilient supply chains as a critical dimension of national security.
• Policy Clarity: Establish clear and updated national security priorities that reflect both domestic and global concerns.

Conclusion

The report concludes that Canada must move beyond traditional models of national security to address the multifaceted and evolving threats of the 21st century. A reimagined strategy is essential to protect Canada's sovereignty, democratic values, and citizens' safety in an increasingly interconnected and complex world.