Global Geopolitical Shifts: A Call for Unity and Action in Protecting Critical Infrastructure
Global Geopolitical Shifts: A Call for Unity and Action in Protecting Critical Infrastructure
As the world faces growing geopolitical instability, safeguarding critical infrastructure (CI) has never been more urgent. Recent commitments from NATO to protect undersea infrastructure and modernization efforts by NORAD highlight the global focus on protection, security and resilience. For Canada, this is not just a challenge but an opportunity—one that calls for unity within our borders and strategic collaboration with our allies.
Finding Unity Within Canada
In times of global uncertainty, Canada’s diversity, innovation, and collaborative spirit are powerful tools. Protecting our critical infrastructure offers an opportunity to rally around shared values:
- Economic Security: From energy pipelines and telecommunications networks to undersea cables, Canada’s CI underpins our economy and livelihoods. Protecting it ensures stability for all Canadians.
- Shared Vulnerabilities: Natural disasters, cyber threats, and geopolitical tensions don’t discriminate—they affect every region and community. These shared vulnerabilities highlight the importance of a unified approach.
- Collaborative Innovation: Canada’s strength lies in its ability to bring together government, industry, and academia. Investing in research and technology to protect CI can unite stakeholders across sectors and borders.
Leveraging Global Chaos for Unity
Global disruptions—ranging from conflicts to cyberattacks—remind us of how interconnected we are. Canada has a unique opportunity to lead in fostering global cooperation while reinforcing its own CI resilience:
- Arctic Cooperation: As climate change reshapes the Arctic, Canada can take a leadership role in securing this region while collaborating with nations that share these waters.
- International Partnerships: Canada’s close ties with NATO and the U.S. through NORAD position us as a key player in protecting infrastructure that impacts partners.
- Cross-Border Infrastructure: Canada and the U.S. share water, critical pipelines, power grids, and transportation routes. Enhancing these assets’ resilience will benefit both nations and set an example for collaboration.
A Time for Action
This moment of global chaos can become a catalyst for unity. By focusing on the following priorities, Canada can protect its critical infrastructure while strengthening both domestic and international bonds:
- Strengthening Collaboration: Build stronger partnerships within Canada and with global allies to address shared risks. If adversaries are exploiting the current environment, let’s use this to our advantage to strengthen global relationships with a new focus and urgency.
- Investing Strategically: Focus on cybersecurity, Arctic infrastructure, and energy security to address pressing vulnerabilities. Are there new partnerships or sectors that should be considered?
- Engaging Canadians: Raise public awareness of the importance of CI through modern social media strategies, and inspire collective action to ensure its protection by all.
The Path Forward
Global instability doesn’t have to divide us—it can unite us around a common purpose. By safeguarding critical infrastructure, Canada can ensure its resilience, protect its economy, and demonstrate leadership on the world stage. Leadership of Canada doesn’t have to come from the Prime Minister – it can start with every citizen, municipality and agency, taking ownership and being involved in helping to protect Canada.
This is not a time to rest. It’s a time to lead, innovate, and collaborate with agency. There are impressive examples where Canadians demonstrate brave leadership, along with dedicated, smart and strategic approaches – especially when the stakes are high. Engagement that fuels unity will be the key moving forward. NC-CIPSeR is dynamic and forging ahead with our partners. We are moving strategically with purpose and agency.
Learn more about our efforts to protect Canada’s critical infrastructure and how you can get involved.