Government of Canada expands work to address economic-based threats to national security

OTTAWA, ON, May 27, 2021 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to addressing new and emerging threats to national security, including those posing risks to intellectual property intensive businesses, access to innovative technologies and sensitive research, and any other economic-based threats to the safety and prosperity of Canadians.

Public Safety Canada's Economic Security Task Force is leading an interdepartmental policy review examining what, if any, additional measures are needed to ensure Canada's continued ability to respond to the economic-based threats to national security now and in the future. Potential threats include the loss of sensitive goods, technology and intellectual property, the malicious use of sensitive personal information of Canadians, and compromised critical infrastructure, not to mention the economic and financial toll and opportunity costs.

The Task Force is reaching out directly to key stakeholders across Canada in a range of sectors, including academic and research organizations, business and professional associations, civil society organizations, and provinces, territories and municipalities. In addition to raising awareness about the current threat environment, the objective is to look at ways to make Canada and Canadians more secure while simultaneously promoting economic prosperity.

A public report that summarizes the input will be released in the coming year.

Quote(s)

"We are committed to ensuring that we have the tools we need to better safeguard our technology, the personal information of Canadians and our critical infrastructure from threats posed by potential adversaries. This will make Canada and Canadians safer and contribute to our competitiveness and prosperity."

- The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Quick Facts

• Budget 2019 announced measures to support efforts to assess and respond to economic-based security threats. This included $67.3 million over five years, starting in 2019–20 and $13.8 million per year ongoing, to Public Safety Canada; Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada; Global Affairs Canada; and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, among other federal agencies.
• As reported by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, espionage and foreign interference threats continue to persist and, in some areas, are increasing.

Associated Links

• Joint Statement by the Communications Security Establishment and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service about the increased risk of foreign interference and espionage
• Government of Canada announces next steps in safeguarding research
• Policy Statement on Foreign Investment Review and COVID-19
• Guidelines on the National Security Review of Investments
• CSIS Public Report 2020 – The Pandemic
• New investments to support research and science across Canada
• Safeguarding Your Research
• Safeguarding Science

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

James Cudmore, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, [email protected]; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [email protected]