Executive summary
Securing an Open Society: Canada's National Security Policy was released by the Government of Canada on April 27, 2004. The first-ever policy of its kind in Canada, it sets out a strategic framework and action plan designed to ensure that the Government of Canada can prepare for and respond to a range of security threats, including terrorist attacks, outbreaks of infectious diseases, natural disasters, cyber attacks on critical infrastructure and domestic extremism.
The Policy focuses on three core national security interests:
- Protecting Canada and the safety and security of Canadians at home and abroad
- Ensuring Canada is not a base for threats to our allies
- Contributing to international security
The National Security Policy focuses attention and actions on building a more integrated security system and sets out specific actions in six key areas: intelligence, emergency planning and management, public health emergencies, transportation security, border security, and international security.
Over the last year, significant progress has been made in implementing a number of initiatives identified in the National Security Policy, as well as several other national security enhancements.