(OTTAWA) Internal government briefings warn Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that economically-based national security threats — from espionage to cyberattacks — pose “significant risks” to post-pandemic recovery, Canada’s long-term prosperity and competitiveness.
Posted at 8:52
The ratings, obtained by The Canadian Press through the Access to Information Actindicate that Canada’s ability to recover from COVID-19, and its future economic growth, rests on the development of updated legislative and regulatory regimes, new tools, new technologies and new business models.
This hard-nosed assessment appears in documents prepared for Mr. Trudeau immediately after the Liberals’ victory in their re-election last September and now made public under the Access to Information Act.
The Trudeau government signaled early last year that it was continuing its efforts to counter economic threats to national security, such as the theft of intellectual property and damage to energy and utility networks. ‘information.
Internal memos highlight foreign investment and global trade as key drivers of the Canadian economy and those of allies.
Given Canada’s population, geography, highly skilled workforce, world-leading scientific and academic institutions, and advanced economy, access to international markets and capital is critical to growth and economic recovery, the notes say.
“Ensuring that Canada has a modern and comprehensive framework to counter efforts by hostile actors to exploit the Canadian economy is essential to ensuring Canada’s long-term economic prosperity and national security, including reconstruction after COVID-19”, it is written.
According to the briefing notes, hostile tactics range from foreign direct investment in sensitive sectors, including critical infrastructure and emerging technologies, to theft of cutting-edge research.
Looting can occur through the hacking of corporate networks or the transfer of sensitive technologies with military and intelligence applications.
National security concerns extend to the purchase of goods and services by all levels of government, the notes warn. For example, procurement activities can allow adversaries to access sensitive sites or data, and products or services purchased for critical infrastructure can open the door to espionage and disruption.
Canadian academic and research institutions are targeted by hostile countries that rely on their nationals, including visiting students and professors, as well as foreign talent programs and research partnerships for access to knowledge and confidential research, add the briefing notes.
In recent years, national security agencies have made efforts to educate potentially targeted organizations and provide advice to mitigate these threats.
The government has also released National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships, and National Security Review Guidelines for Investment Canada Act have been updated with the aim of increasing transparency about the type of investments that could give rise to a security review.
According to the notes, Public Safety Canada is reviewing “gaps in legislation, regulation and governance.”
The federal department is also completing a review of Canada’s cybersecurity strategy.
The committee of MPs and senators that oversees federal security policy recently highlighted gaps in Canada’s cyber defenses that could leave many agencies vulnerable to Chinese and Russian state-sponsored hackers.
The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians has said that while nation states pose the most sophisticated threats, any player with malicious intent and sophisticated capabilities puts government data and the integrity of its infrastructure at risk. electronic.
Notes prepared for the Prime Minister warn that the cyber threat landscape is changing rapidly, often faster than the ability of governments to adapt regulatory and policy frameworks.
As a result, governments are “increasingly challenged” to secure their networks and sources of information, manage the most pressing threats, and assist victims of cyber incidents.
Cybersecurity “can no longer be considered the sole responsibility of governments,” the notes warn.
Canada, in consultation with like-minded partners, will need to continue to emphasize the need for international standards and the prevention of places where cybercriminals “can operate without consequence.”
“Internet-facilitated crime poses the greatest risk to economic recovery because it can affect everyone, from individuals and small and large businesses to municipalities and critical infrastructure systems.”