Canada unveils first national security strategy in over 20 years

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday launched "The Plan for a Stronger Canada," the country's first national security strategy in over two decades aimed at countering evolving security threats and safeguarding national sovereignty.

The prime minister's office said in a news release that the rules-based international order is eroding and the line between economic security and national security has disappeared, noting that national security now relies not only on defense and resource capabilities, but also on the strength of the economy, the resilience of institutions, and the partnerships with allies.

According to the release, the strategy outlines five main priorities: strengthening economic security and resilience by transforming strategic industries and securing supply chains; advancing a disciplined foreign policy to diversify partnerships; rebuilding and strengthening the Canadian Armed Forces; enhancing public safety against foreign interference, espionage, violent extremism, and transnational organized crime; and modernizing intelligence capabilities to anticipate and counter emerging threats.

Carney said in the release that in a rapidly changing and more dangerous world, Canada must have the capacity to defend its sovereignty and the resilience to withstand emerging threats.

The Canadian government will update the strategy at least every four years.