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A number of national security challenges have arisen or been exposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The very notion of what Canadian national security is has broadened, along with the mandate of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the supporting role of our defence and security industry.
With regards to the CAF more specifically, what role is this institution currently playing in the COVID-19 pandemic, how is this expected to change? Are the CAF and its supply chain ready to answer governments' calls for domestic assistance relating to COVID-19, while simultaneously continuing its other core missions at home and abroad at an effective capacity? With regards to Canadian businesses and the national economy more generally, how will an intensified focus on national security, and renewed emphasis on preparedness for future crises impact investments in sectors seen as critical to national security?
PANEL 1
Adam P. MacDonald and Carter Vance will provide our viewers with a brief overview on how the CAF is currently responding to the crisis, its perspective on the situation, and what lessons have already been learned during the last few weeks. The authors will also present their paper, “Covid-19 and the Canadian Armed Forces: Overview, Analysis, and Next Steps” which elaborates on whether or not the Canadian Armed Forces is properly mandated, and should be tasked with the increasing domestic duties being placed upon it alongside its other defence commitments. The authors will also discuss the post-pandemic policy implications.
PANEL 2
Shawn C. D. Neylan and Marc Barbeau will present their essay, “National Security after COVD-19”, which delves into what they describe as the long-term legacy of the virus – an intensified focus on “national security” on the part of the government and Canadian society. The authors will pose the question, -- what specific direction will this renewed focus take, and what will this mean for Canadian industry across all major sectors? What are the likely post-pandemic industrial policies that will encourage investments in and outside of Canada, and how will the Canadian government ensure that foreign investments do not negatively impact the security of Canada's critical infrastructure? The authors will also discuss how the lessons learned throughout this pandemic can better prepare Canada for future crises relating to national defence and climate change.
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