Conference of Defence Associations Institute – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Dr. Rob Huebert joins today's Expert Series podcast to discuss the implications of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement that Canada is exploring participation in the United States' “Golden Dome” defence initiative, unveiled by Donald Trump earlier this week. The Golden Dome, designed to intercept hypersonic, ballistic, and space-based threats, would mark a major expansion of American missile defence capabilities, echoing Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI).

Dr. Huebert explains the technical ambition and geopolitical motivation behind the Golden Dome, contrasting it with Israel’s Iron Dome, noting the far greater complexity required for continental-scale coverage. While Canada has historically abstained from joining U.S. missile defence programs, evolving threats posed by Russia and China mean that Canada's defence posture is under renewed scrutiny.

Huebert suggests that participation in the Golden Dome may now be strategically necessary, despite ongoing concerns about Trump’s remarks about Canadian sovereignty. Canada must exercise caution, but has to realize that it needs to protect itself from the other geopolitical threats, while managing its relationship with an increasingly unpredictable United States.

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What do recent changes in the United States’s strategic posture mean for the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance? 

Over the past several months, allies within the Five Eyes have flagged an alarming level of polarization within the U.S. intelligence community. While the alliance has faced challenges before, new difficulties regarding intelligence-sharing dynamics, as well as domestic politics, and bilateral relationships between individual partners have raised concerns.  

Today, we meet with Vincent Rigby, former national security advisor to the Prime Minister; Dan Stanton, former CSIS intelligence officer and current Director of the National Security Program at the University of Ottawa; and Artur Wilczynski, Senior Strategy Advisor at Samuel Associates, to discuss the challenges Canada faces amidst these shifts. Although the Five Eyes will likely remain the cornerstone of Canada’s contribution to global security through intelligence, Canada benefits from considering opportunities to diversify relations with new regional alliances and partnership blocs.  

With a new government in Ottawa, policymakers must increase the capabilities of the Privy Council Office and other relevant areas of the national security apparatus, as well as transparency surrounding it to Canadians. Canada must prioritize its own strategic autonomy and national interests in an increasingly tumultuous international system.

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In today’s Expert Series episode, Toms Rostoks, Director of the Centre for Security and Strategic Research at the National Defence Academy of Latvia, discusses Latvia’s evolving approach to national defence in the face of Russian aggression.

The 2014 Russian invasion of Crimea was a turning point for Latvia’s national defence strategy. With the understanding that Russian aggression towards Europe would only continue to intensify in the years to come, Latvia adopted a total defence strategy, integrating military and civilian preparedness with increasing defence spending for a whole-of-society approach. Rostoks explores how this model, developed on NATO’s most vulnerable front, is shaping the Baltic region’s deterrence posture—and why other NATO members, including Canada, must take note.

The episode also explores how Latvian and Baltic strategies intersect with NATO’s forward presence, the role of U.S. and European allies, and the challenges of sustaining public support in the face of prolonged tension. As Latvia seeks to deepen Baltic ties with other NATO allies, today’s conversation offers concrete insights into how Canada can assist and support their fight on NATO’s frontline.

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In this Expert Series episode, we unpack the Liberal Party’s April 14 defence pledge, announced by Mark Carney, which outlines significant reinvestment in Canada’s military and defence industry. Key proposals include a centralized procurement agency, a new research bureau focused on emerging technologies, and efforts to boost domestic defence production and international partnerships—particularly through the EU’s Rearm Europe initiative.

Panelists Dr. Justin Massie, Colonel (Ret’d) Charles Davies, and Gordon Venner reflect on the feasibility of these proposals, raising questions about the mandate, structure, funding, and integration of the new agencies with existing systems. They also explore opportunities for Canadian industry to expand in the EU, the feasibility of meeting NATO’s 2% target amidst a pivot from US suppliers, and compare the Liberal and Conservative defence plans—including the Conservative proposal for a permanent Arctic base.

With all parties having pledged to meet the NATO spending threshold, the panel notes that defence has become a rare point of focus in this election—marking a significant shift in Canada’s political landscape on national security.

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In today's Expert Series episode, we speak with Peter MacKay, former Minister of National Defence, to discuss the defence and security challenges Canada faces today. From Normandy to Afghanistan, the Armed Forces have long been a source of pride for Canadians. While recent challenges in domestic procurement and recruitment have limited the CAF, it’s still possible to get back to the impactful force we once had.

The recent tone from the United States has put pressure on our bilateral relationship, but none of it has been irreparable, says Mr. MacKay. From NORAD to intelligence sharing, the Canada-US defence partnership makes both of our countries stronger. However, changes in US foreign policy may ultimately push Canada toward its traditional allies like the UK and France, including on procurement projects and the integration of military exchanges. At the end of the day, Canada will need to come up with more modernized systems, working together with industry to produce technically advanced equipment.  

Considering the upcoming election, Mr. MacKay hopes that defence can be “de-politicized” and key projects like modernizing our military equipment and boosting our domestic defence industries are taken up by the new government, regardless of party. The world needs Canada, and we should be ready to take on a greater role, both at home and internationally.

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In this Expert Series episode, we meet with Dr. Rob Huebert and Dr. Philippe Lagassé to discuss this year’s Strategic Outlook: a timely and essential survey of the emerging and existing security challenges facing Canada at this dangerous inflection point.

Building on his analysis for the CDA Institute’s 2025 Strategic Outlook publication, Dr. Huebert discusses several pressing challenges facing Canada, including threats posed by China and Russia in the Arctic, the need for Canada to become further engaged in the Indo-Pacific region, and continental defence. 

These challenges are heightened with changes brought on by the Trump administration, its use of tariffs, and President Trump’s rhetoric about making Canada the 51st state. Dr. Huebert reflects on how Canada can navigate the significant changes in the bilateral relationship and provides his interpretation of Trump’s intentions towards Canada, which could range from a negotiation strategy to literal annexation of Canada. 

Dr. Phillipe Lagassé discusses the efforts to recapitalize the CAF, the importance of reaching 2% and beyond, impediments to procurement reform, and whether or not Canada should consider cancelling the F-35 acquisition as well as the extent to which we can pivot to other defence suppliers.

Read the Strategic Outlook 2025: https://bit.ly/4jnRQh0 

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In this Expert Series episode, we meet with Major General (Ret’d) Colin Keiver, Lieutenant General (Ret’d) Andre Deschamps, and General (Ret’d) Tom Lawson to discuss the potential cancellation or readjustment of the F-35 procurement deal, its impact on the Canadian defence sector, and its broader implications for the bilateral relationship.

With defence and security issues making headlines ahead of the upcoming federal election, our panel emphasized the need for significant investment in Canada’s defence infrastructure and personnel. Our conversation touched on the strategic importance of the F-35 for Canada's defence capabilities, the implications of defence technologies interdependency with the U.S., and the need for a cohesive defence strategy to ensure Canada's security and relevance in North American defence.

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In today’s Expert Series episode, we meet Dr. Daniel Araya, Dr. Kurtis Simpson, Dan Ciuriak, Dr. Roberto Mazzolin, and Dr. Amos Fox to discuss how AI and robotics are redefining the future of national security.

At a time when Canada faces the daunting dual task of improving its defence capability while ensuring economic security, our panellists explore national security in the age of artificial intelligence and robotics. Looking at the evolving domains of machine learning, automation, and global security, our panelists explore how these technologies are redefining national security in ways that policymakers, military leaders, and technologists are still trying to understand.

AI is no longer simply a data processing tool – it's evolved into an autonomous system that's capable of real time decision making, shaping global militaries in fundamental ways by improving operational efficiency and fielding new capabilities. As these innovations change the face of war, interoperability must remain the focus.

Read the latest ON TRACK volume, National Security in the Age of AI and Robotics: https://bit.ly/4j5RqLY 

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In today’s Expert Series episode, we meet with Robert Baines, President and CEO of the NATO Association of Canada, to discuss the impact of the U.S.'s shifting stance towards NATO and how this affects US-Canada tensions and NATO dynamics with European allies. 

Our conversation covers the importance of Canada reaching the 2% GDP defence spending benchmark and the need for enhanced strategic focus and prioritized investments in the Arctic. In the face of changing geopolitical dynamics, Canada must firmly assert its sovereignty, strengthen its Arctic capabilities and its relationship with European allies, and prioritize strong leadership in maintaining international norms.

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The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

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In today’s Expert Series episode, we sit down with Xavier Delgado to examine the evolving Canada-US relationship amid rising tariffs, trade disputes, and shifting economic policies. Within the context of President Trump's priorities since inauguration and Canada's economic future under Prime Minister Mark Carney, we discuss the broader implications for bilateral dialogue and continental defence cooperation.

Together, we explore the roots of these economic shifts, the impact of tariffs and the ongoing trade war, and how both countries are responding to a rapidly changing global landscape. Today’s conversation also touches on the US’s shifting stance on NATO and what it means for North American security while emphasizing the need for continued bilateral dialogue to maintain Canada-US relations.

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The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

Learn more: CDA Institute