Defence and Intelligence

In Search of Enhanced Defence Cooperation in Europe 0
- Analysis
- April 20, 2015
On April 9, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland agreed on closer defense ties and increased solidarity with the Baltic states, in a move designed to enhance regional security through deterrence. In a joint declaration, the defense ministers of four …
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Getting the Balance Right on C-51 0
- Analysis
- March 30, 2015
Published in the Ottawa Citizen, March 30, 2015

The Liberal party announced its desired amendments to Bill C-51, the anti-terrorism legislation, last Thursday morning. The Liberals seized at least a temporary, first out of the gate, advantage in what …
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The Conservatives’ Controversial Case for War 0
- Analysis
- March 26, 2015
The motion tabled in Parliament this week to extend Canada’s military engagement against the Islamic State (IS) sets a worrying precedent. The decision to expand the air war to Syria is grounded in a confused legality that blurs legitimate concerns …
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Military Deployments and a ‘Political Convention’ of Commons Support 0
- Analysis
- March 24, 2015
by Philippe Lagassé

Published on Policy Options, March 24, 2015

Prime Minister Harper has presented a motion to the House of Commons announcing an extension and expansion of Canada’s mission against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant …
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How Dangerous is C-51? You Might Be Surprised 0
- Analysis
- March 22, 2015
by Michael Geist

Published in the Toronto Star, March 13, 2015

As witnesses line up to warn about the dangers associated with Bill C-51, Canada’s anti-terrorism bill, it’s increasingly clear that the proposed legislation is an unprecedented undermining of …
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Intellectual Property, Industrial Espionage and the Future of Military Diffusion 0
- Analysis
- March 19, 2015
By Robert Farley, Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, University of Kentucky

What do intellectual property law, industrial espionage, and cyber-warfare have to do with one another?

Industrial espionage is, by definition, a violation of most existing schemes …
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Security Review or Oversight? The Critical Difference 0
- Analysis
- March 11, 2015
Published in the Globe and Mail, March 11, 2015

The government’s legislation to increase the powers of Canada’s security services has stimulated a necessary and welcome debate. One aspect of this debate concerns the question of what is the …
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Should Parliament ‘Oversee’ National Security Affairs?0
- Analysis
- February 26, 2015
by Philippe Lagassé

Published on the Policy Options Blog, February 25, 2015

Bill C-51, the Conservative government’s anti-terrorism legislation, has sparked renewed debate about Parliament’s role in overseeing Canada’s intelligence services. Opposition parties and former prime ministers have …
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Canadian Mission Creep in Iraq? A CIPS Debate – Part 3 0
- Analysis
- January 30, 2015
by Philippe Lagassé

For Parts 1 and 2 of this CIPS debate, see the posts by Roland Paris and Thomas Juneau.

Published on Canadian Defense Politics, January 29, 2015

Did the Prime Minister mislead the House of Commons …
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Canada’s F-35 Rumour Mill 0
- Analysis
- November 10, 2014
by Philippe Lagassé

The replacement of Canada’s CF-18s is back in the news. Last week, Murray Brewster reported on a leaked PowerPoint presentation indicating that Canada will acquire four F-35s in 2017. Since this would require swapping with aircraft slated …
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Last Year’s CIPS Blog Highlights, Part 4: Soldiers and Spies 0
- Research
- September 29, 2014
In this final installment of the CIPS Blog Greatest Hits 2013-14, we turn to the topic of Soldiers and Spies. It spans a range of military and security controversies that arose both in Canada and globally. They include new powers …
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When Does Parliament Get to Vote on Military Deployments?0
- Analysis
- September 8, 2014
by Philippe Lagassé

Canada’s deployment of military advisors to Iraq has raised questions about Parliament’s role in deployment decisions. The Conservative government has decided that a parliamentary committee will be briefed about the operation. The New Democratic Party (NDP) deems …
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