Conference of Defence Associations Institute

In today’s Expert Series episode, Dr. James Fergusson discusses the continued importance of U.S.-Canada defence cooperation in Arctic, despite political and foreign policy shifts in the U.S. He highlights how Canada's defence strategy remains closely tied to U.S. priorities—especially with NORAD and aerospace defence—and also discusses the complex and long-term challenges of expanding Canadia...

In today’s Expert Series episode, we meet with Dr. Aaron Ettinger, Dan Ciuriak, Douglas Porter, and Dr. Erick Duchesne to discuss U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports, including the potential for broader tariffs on non-energy goods, as well as the ongoing negotiations between Canadian officials and U.S. policymakers.  The panel explores the economic nationalism driving U.S. tariff strategies and Canad...

In this Expert Series episode, we meet with Vice-Admiral (Ret'd) Robert (Bob) Davidson to discuss the growing importance of defence investments in the Arctic in light of Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre’s recent defence spending announcement. Davidson highlights the need for increased military capabilities, including submarine deployment, enhanced icebreakers with combat capabilities, and e...

In this Expert Series episode, we meet with Wesley Wark and Richard Fadden to discuss the findings of Justice Marie-Josée Hogue's report on foreign interference in Canadian elections, which found no evidence of traitors in Parliament but highlighted the threat of disinformation. The report recommended 51 measures to enhance government response, including improving intelligence handling and pr...

In this Expert Series episode, Vincent Rigby and Eugene Lang assess Canada's defence and foreign policy under Trudeau's leadership over the past decade, noting that the government has struggled to keep up with significant global changes. Together, we discuss how geopolitical tensions, particularly with China, Russia, and the United States, have evolved rapidly—and Canada's response...

In this Expert Series episode, Xavier Delgado joins us to discuss evolving US-Canada relations following Donald Trump's inauguration.  Delgado highlights the Trump administration's rapid pivot from Biden's policies, potential tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, and Trump's emphasis on American exceptionalism and reduced reliance on allies in trade and defence. Together, we al...

In this Expert Series episode, Gordon Venner, Kerry Buck, Xavier Delgado, and Dr. Kim Richard Nossal discuss Canada's shifting defence and foreign policy priorities under Prime Minister Trudeau’s leadership.  Despite having a defence policy review and update, Canada has yet to undergo a comprehensive foreign policy review, resulting in a more transactional approach to global relations over th...

In this Expert Series episode, Dr. Andrea Charron discusses Canada's Arctic threats and vulnerabilities, focusing on the recently released Arctic Foreign Policy, state-based threats from Russia and China, and the erosion of the international order.  Charron highlights that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) readiness to address these issues is compromised due to a lack of sustained attention, fu...

In this Expert Series episode, Xavier Delgado discusses the evolving dynamics of Canada-US relations in the context of a potential second Trump presidency, focusing on key areas such as trade, defence, and border security.  This episode examines the implications of Peter Hoekstra’s appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Canada, highlighting its impact on bilateral ties. Delgado addresses the pressures...

Dr. Stéfanie von Hlatky convenes with Ambassador Jacqueline O'Neill, Canada's Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security, to reflect on the upcoming 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.  They explore the challenges and achievements of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, including addressing anti-feminist disinformation campaigns, engaging men as advocates, and...

In this Expert Series episode, Vincent Rigby discusses the deteriorating state of Canada-India relations following allegations of Indian agents' involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He stresses the urgency for Canada to address national security concerns, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive strategy that includes defence prioritization and clearer articulation of the threat...

In today’s episode of the Expert Series, Yulia Kovaliv (Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada) discusses the 1000th day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, highlighting Ukraine's resilience and strategic wins and emphasizing the importance of Ukraine's victory for global security, including NATO membership and justice for Russia's war crimes.  Kovaliv notes the significant impact of Cana...

In this episode of the Expert Series, Dan Doran discusses retention challenges in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), emphasizing the need for leadership to prioritize retention and address the CAF's risk-averse culture.  He highlights that slow recruitment processes and a focus on procedure over results are key obstacles to retaining top talent, and calls for a shift towards a more dynamic, ris...

In this episode of the Expert Series, panelists Dr. Adam Lajeunesse, Colonel (Ret'd) Pierre LeBlanc, and Dr. Rebecca Pincus discuss the ICE Pact, a collaboration between Canada, Finland, and the U.S. aimed at strengthening Arctic security and shipbuilding capabilities.  The panel examines the severe shortage of icebreakers, ongoing shipbuilding delays in Canada and the U.S., and how Finland’s...

In the third instalment of our series on Canada’s Victoria-Class replacement, Bob Davidson, Mark Norman, and Luc Cassivi discuss the challenges of the current procurement process and the need for acceleration to replace our aging submarine fleet, the merits of conventional versus nuclear submarines, with conventional options seen as more suitable for Canada's operational needs, the potential...

In today’s episode of the Expert Series, we are joined by Nina Jankowicz, a Disinformation Fellow at the Wilson Center and co-founder and CEO of the American Sunlight Project, to discuss gendered disinformation. While discussing how gender is being weaponized against women in politics and public life, Ms. Jankowicz explains how gendered disinformation has become a tool to discourage women from act...

In this episode of the Expert Series, we are joined by Dr. Jessica Trisko Darden (Assistant Professor of Political Science at Virginia Commonwealth University and Director of the Security and Foreign Policy Initiative at William & Mary’s Global Research Institute) and Dr. Kateryna Busol (Ukrainian lawyer and Associate Professor at the Department of International and European Law) to discuss co...

In this Expert Series episode, we meet with Heather Exner-Pirot, Suzanne Lalonde, and Elana Wilson Rowe to discuss critical mineral development and Arctic geopolitics.  Exner-Pirot highlights Canada’s push for critical minerals vital for the energy transition but notes challenges in Arctic extraction due to infrastructure and environmental concerns. Lalonde focuses on Arctic seabed disputes, stres...

In this episode of the Expert Series, we meet with Ambassador Bob Rae, the President of the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council and the Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations. Ambassador Rae is also the former Special Envoy of Canada to Myanmar. This episode touches on topics ranging from Canada’s response to the coup in Myanmar, the effectiveness of Canadian sanctions, Canada’s coopera...

In today’s episode of the Expert Series, we convene three of Canada’s foremost experts on Russian disinformation. We are joined by Dr. Paul Goode, McMillian Chair of Russian Studies and Associate Professor at Carleton University’s Institute of European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies; Dr. Maria Popova, Professor of Political Science at McGill University; and Marcus Kolga, Director and Founder of Di...

In today’s episode of the Expert Series, we return with three experts for the second part of a two-part series on Canada’s submarine fleet replacement of the Victoria-class submarines. Part One covered the geopolitical context of the submarine fleet replacement and outlined the technological and capability requirements needed to meet Canada’s defence needs. This part focuses on the challenges in t...

In today’s episode of the Expert Series, we convene three experts for the first part of a two-part series on Canada’s submarine fleet replacement of the Victoria-class submarines. Part One focuses on the geopolitical context of the submarine fleet replacement, naval strategy, and outlining the technological and capability requirements needed to meet Canada’s defence needs. Part Two will focus on t...

In this episode, Daniel Araya explores the Canadian Armed Forces' integration of artificial intelligence, highlighting its role in enhancing military capabilities through drones, robotics, and cyber operations. He addresses both the advantages and challenges of AI, including ethical considerations and the need for interoperability with allies.  Araya also emphasizes the critical need for a ro...

In today’s episode of the Expert Series, we convene three experts to discuss the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.    Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Fellow at the Foundation for the Defence of Democracies, Dr. Thomas Juneau, Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, and Peter Jones, Executive Director of the Ottawa Dialogue at the U...

In today’s episode of the Expert Series, Xavier Delgado, Research Director of the Washington Forum on the Canadian Economy at the Wilson Center’s Canada Institute, discusses the linkages between the Canadian-American defence and trade relationships.   Looking at the aftermath of Canada’s announcement of its intent to meet the 2% NATO defence spending benchmark at the 2024 Washington NATO Summit, M...