Contributing to the Discussion
We provide Canadians from all professional backgrounds with leading Security & Defence policy analysis. Be sure to read our publications, and feel free to contact us should you wish to contribute to our vast library!
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Encouraging Others
There are many ways for you to contribute to the discussion with the CDA Institute. From volunteering with our team on events and building our network, contributing research and analysis for publication or making a charitable donation, there is a place for you with CDA Institute.
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Recognizing Excellence
We annually recognize great Canadians through our Awards Program, which includes the Vimy Award, the Ross Munro Media Award, and the Nichola Goddard “Game Changer” Award. Learn more about the recipients and how to nominate a deserving Canadian.
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Recent News
Walk the Talk: Time to Operationalize Canada’s Whole-of-Government Approach to Twenty-First Century Conflict
The 2008 Manley Report highlighted significant machinery of government obstacles to the effective conduct of the Afghanistan mission, and in particular the operations of the interdepartmental Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (KPRT) which the Panel called “a...
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BUDGET 2019 OVERVIEW – Defence and Security
Not unexpectedly in an election year, and nearly two years removed from the publication of Strong, Secure, Engaged, Canada’s Defence Policy, Budget 2019 contains relatively little in the way of new defence commitments, although it does have a section on...
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Future of Canada’s Cybersecurity
*Image courtesy of itworldcanada.comBy Andriyha Soans Computer technology today is ubiquitous. In 2017, there was an estimated 3 billion hand held devices in circulation across the globe with a 50 per cent increase expected by 2020.[i] These...
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Using Social Media to Tackle Recruiting Shortages in the Armed Forces
During their tenure in office, the Liberal government has set out to expand the armed forces. This includes recruiting nearly 31,000 new Regular Force members with goals of growing representation of minority groups, Indigenous Peoples and women. It appears that social...
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Vimy Paper No. 41: The Art of War Games
Queen's University's Thomas Hughes explores the Art of War Games: Canada and the Political Effects of Military Exercises in CDA Institute's latest Vimy Paper.EXECUTIVE SUMMARYMilitary exercises can play a significant role in shaping the international...
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Beyond the ‘Western Foreign Fighter’: Effective Counter-Terrorism in a Global Context
By Nabil Bhatia A 2018 UN report suggests that up to 30,000 ISIS fighters remain in Iraq and Syria, including a “significant component of…active foreign fighters.” While it is unclear where exactly foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) will travel following the complete...
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Canada’s Civilian Cyber Warriors and the International Legal Implications of a “Strong, Secured, and Engaged” Cyber Policy
In the latest CDA Institute Vimy Paper, Leah West of the University of Toronto explores the legal implications of Canada adopting a more assertive posture in cyberspace. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The past two years have marked a turning point in Canada’s cyber...
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WHERE IS THE 2018 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS?
By Jim Cox In the best of times, Canadians are, if not naïve, then generally apathetic about national intelligence activity conducted on their behalf. Count many Members of Parliament among the disinterested and ignorant too (Senators tend to know much more in...
read moreE3 CALL FOR PAPERS!
Since 1987, the Conference of Defence Association’s Institute has contributed to defence and security discussions across Canada and strived to recognize excellence when and where it occurs. Engage, Exchange, Educate (E3) is the CDA Institute’s annual...
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Vimy Paper 39: To Trip a Bear
In the latest CDA Institute Vimy Paper, Andris Banka of Çağ University explores Canada's role as lead nation in NATO's enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) battle-group in Latvia and the part deterrence plays in shoring up the security of the Baltic republics. ...
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International History and Canada Declassified
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Matthew Wiseman discusses the world of Canadian international history and exciting new developments for those scholars and members of the public looking to access declassified...
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Leading from the Front: Combating Gender Based Violence in the Canadian Armed Forces
The CDA Institute, in partnership with Women in International Security Canada (WIIS-Canada), hosted a round-table on December 5, 2018 at the KPMG offices in Ottawa, as part of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence. Canada has long been at...
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Another broken promise?
With the recent release of the Auditor General's report on Canada's Fighter Force, it is once again a timely moment to reflect on Canadian defence procurement. Retired senior RCAF officer and former NORAD deputy commander, Lieutenant General (Ret'd) Louis...
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A wake-up reminder for Canada’s security from NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly
Research analyst Roger Hilton provides his insights into the recent NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Annual Session in Halifax. Given the low level of satisfaction of parliamentarians throughout the Euro-Atlantic area, one could be forgiven for...
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A Path for Canada’s Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) Effort
Photo credit: Express This is the second in a new series of blog entries exploring the work of emerging graduate students examining Canada’s armed forces and defence and security issues. In “A Path for Canada’s P/CVE Efforts,” University of Alberta...
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ON TRACK- Autumn 2018
From the Editor In this issue of ON TRACK, we review a range of critical issues in Canadian defence policy and important developments in international security that will undoubtedly have repercussions for many years to come. Executive management consultant...
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Book Review: Vimy: The Battle and the Legend
Tim Cook. Vimy: The Battle and the Legend. Toronto: Penguin Canada, 2018. Pp. 488. Reviewed by Richard Roy The memory of any event, especially battles and wars, must be constructed and periodically reinvigorated if it is to endure. Tim Cook, a military...
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Book Review: From Kinshasa to Kandahar
Carroll, Michael K and Greg Donaghy, From Kinshasa to Kandahar: Canada and Fragile States in Historical Perspective (Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2016). Reviewed by Adam Finzi Canada’s legacy of intervening in fragile states is both an enduring part of its...
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