Canada has launched an updated framework for national security with a call to prepare for all emergencies, including the possibility of war.
The release of the plan comes as the trade war with the United States deepens. Since becoming president, Donald Trump has continued to threaten turning Canada into the 51st state.
In a recent interview with the New York Times, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he studied the “extreme tail risk” of a U.S. military action against Canada.
During a background briefing with reporters, a senior government official said the plan is about “preparing for all contingencies in worst-case scenarios up to war.”
“We do think it is high time that all of Canada, Canadian businesses, and Canadian academics are more aware of the external threat environment and that we as a country are more prepared for the threats that Canada faces.”
Protecting Canada’s eight strategic economic sectors is a key focus of the strategy. Those sectors include emerging technologies, critical minerals, defence, energy, transportation, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, food security and financial transactions.
The previous national security framework, drafted more than 20 years ago, did not lay out a plan to protect the economy.
The United States is the only country explicitly named in the framework, although regions such as Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific are referenced.
The first line of the policy states: “True Sovereignty allows Canadians to live our lives as we choose.”
During a background briefing, a panel of security officials said the strategy will involve new legislation based on five pillars: security, foreign relations, defence, public safety and intelligence.
The first changes will be introduced next month in a new foreign policy that lists building a new partnership with the United States as a priority.
This is a developing news story and will be updated. Check back for more information.
