Foreign Interference & Domestic Intelligence: A discussion with former CSIS agent, Andrew Kirsch

In this episode, we sit down with Lieutenant General M.C. Wright to examine how Canada is adapting its military, institutions, and alliances in response to a rapidly deteriorating global security environment. Drawing directly from his current leadership of the Canadian Army, he outlines how modernization is already underway through concrete capability and structural changes, including major capital projects, force reorganization, and new ways of operating across the land, air, and cyber domains. From NATO’s evolving role and Canada’s leadership on the Alliance’s eastern flank to defence spending, procurement reform, and readiness at home and in the Arctic, the conversation moves beyond theory to what is actively being implemented today. We also explore emerging pressures such as great power competition, hybrid threats, climate change, artificial intelligence, and disinformation, and how these forces are reshaping training,

In this episode, we sit down with Vice Admiral Angus Topshee, the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, for an in-depth discussion on the evolving challenges facing Canada’s maritime forces. We explore Trump’s ambitions to seize the Panama Canal and Greenland, the increasing military presence of Russia and China in the Arctic, and the impact of climate change on naval strategy. Vice Admiral Topshee shares insights on how Canada is adapting to these geopolitical shifts and what the future holds for the Royal Canadian Navy in an era of global uncertainty. Tune in for a fascinating deep dive into naval power and strategy.

In this episode of the NAOC podcast, Erik Anderson interviews David Oliver, a GeoPolitical Strategy Expert, on current events amongst NATO nations and the latest geopolitics involving Russia, China, and beyond. David has over 25 years of advising across sectors as diverse as finance, energy, mining, pharmaceuticals. He started his career in British Politics before moving into consulting. He's is a published writer and broadcaster and the founder of the Minerva Wisdom Group. 

In this episode, we speak with Andrew Kirsch, a former CSIS agent about Canada's intelligence capabilities, both foreign and domestic, as well as the interplay between our security services and the foreign interference scandal currently embroiling Parliament. Andrew’s memoir, I Was Never Here: My True Canadian Spy Story of Coffee’s, Code Names, and Covert Operations in the Age of Terrorism, was published March 1st 2022 and became an instant national bestseller reaching #6 and #9 on the Toronto Star and Globe and Mail Canadian and Hardcover Nonfiction lists. 

In this inspiring episode, the NATO Association of Canada is honoured to welcome Rosemary McCarney, former Ambassador to the United Nations and Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN Conference on Disarmament. In this terrific discussion, we delve into her captivating journey at the UN, where she shares insights on disarmament of nuclear weapons and the global fight for women's rights. Tune in this enriching conversation on diplomacy, security, and equality for an engaging exploration of pressing global issues with a remarkable leader.

The NATO Association of Canada, in partnership with student organizations based in Memorial University of Newfoundland, namely the Political Science Graduate Students’ Society (MUN PSGSS), Filipino Students’ Association (MUNFILSA), Women in Cybersecurity (WiCys) - MUN Chapter, and Youth Atlantic Treaty Association - North Atlantic Treaty Organization (YATA - NATO) - Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter, successfully launched the inaugural Atlantic Canada Security Policy Forum. This virtual platform aims to raise greater public awareness as regards the latest security developments in the Indo-Pacific region. It seeks to contribute in fostering discussions and debates in Canada on how best the NATO in general, and Canada in particular could deepen its ties with its existing regional partners in the Indo-Pacific, and hence, contribute towards the promotion of collective security and the preservation of the rules-based international order. The event was held on Friday, April 5, 2024 through Zoom, a day after the nationwide commemoration of NATO’s 75th Founding Anniversary.    In attendance were Mr. Robert Baines, President and CEO, Mr. Justin Michael James Dell, Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Mark Davis Madarang Pablo, Program Editor and Lead Project Coordinator, and Mr. Behzad Hakim, Engagement Relations Officer at the NATO Association of Canada. Also in attendance were Ms. Kathleen Katruskha Moreno, Vice President for Academics of MUN PSGSS, Ms. Irene Kim Abrogena, President of MUNFILSA, Dr. Jonathan Anderson, Advisor of Women in Cybersecurity (WiCys) - MUN Chapter, Mr. Mattias Vanderley, President of YATA - NATO Canada, and Mr. Spencer Carew, President of YATA - NATO  Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter. The Organizing Committee was honoured and privileged to welcome the following Guest Speakers during the event: Her Excellency Andrelita Austria, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Canada, His Excellency Yamanouchi Kanji, Ambassador of Japan to Canada, and His Excellency Woongsoon Lim, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Canada. Ambassador Austria outlined recent developments in maritime security disputes in the West Philippine Sea, emphasizing its strategic and economic importance as the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) within the South China Sea. She highlighted China's provocative actions, Philippine government responses including upholding the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling, and defending sovereign rights in accordance with UNCLOS. Ambassador Kanji addressed the emerging US-Japan-South Korea trilateral security partnership, noting Japan's defense buildup aiming to reach NATO's 2% of GDP spending within five years. He discussed areas of cooperation like information sharing, cybersecurity, economic security, and defense industrial collaboration, as outlined during the 2023 Camp David Summit. He also praised Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and its contributions to maritime sanctions enforcement against North Korea. Ambassador Woongsoon Lim of South Korea to Canada discussed security challenges, including North Korea's nuclear program, Russia's violations of UNSC sanctions against North Korea, and cyberattacks from North Korea, Russia, and China. He outlined South Korea's comprehensive strategy towards North Korea: Deterrence, Dissuasion, and Diplomacy (3D), involving military strengthening, enforcement of UNSC resolutions, and diplomatic efforts for denuclearization.

In this special episode, the NATO Association of Canada is honoured to host the Swedish Ambassador to Canada H.E. Signe Burgstaller as we congratulate Sweden on its membership to the alliance. In this discussion, H.E discusses the role of Sweden in Nordic and Arctic security and its future contributions to the alliance.

In today’s special episode, the NATO Association of Canada is honoured to host H.E Witold Dzielski, Poland’s Ambassador to Canada. In this interview discussion, H.E discusses Poland’s role in Eastern Europe covering many crucial geopolitical topics such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Poland’s relationship with its neighbours and EU politics.

Join us for a special episode live recording of our interview with Lieutenant-General Frances J Allen, Canada's Vice Chief of Defence Staff as she speaks with NATO Canada's Aly Sayani and Matthew D'Amico on new threats to global security, Canada's armed forces in a changing world, the importance of deterrence, and personal stories after more than three decades of military service. Follow our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@NATOCanada Explore our website now! https://natoassociation.ca/

What is the fate of the Palestinian people at the borders of Gaza? What is Europe’s refugee crisis? What are the effects of Ukrainian mass migration? What are the best immigration policies? In this episode, Dr Randall Hansen a political scientist who holds a Canada Research Chair in Global Migration at the University of Toronto talks about the challenges of Refugee crises around the world in regions such Europe, the Middle East and Africa and what are the root causes of these challenges and what could be the most strategic policies that could solve these issues.