Digital Sovereignty Is Intrinsic to Canada’s Security

Changing geopolitical and technological contexts have expanded the security threat landscape in Canada to include an economic interdependence that can be weaponized. Yet, as Robert Mazzolin writes, the idea that strong innovation performance and digital sovereignty are intrinsic to economic and physical security has not yet taken hold in Canada as a fundamental pillar of government policy.

Data breaches are commonplace and often pose severe risks to individuals in the form of identify theft, discrimination or harassment. Canada’s political parties capture and store vast quantities of highly sensitive personal data about voters but, unlike most commercial organizations in the country, are under no obligation to report serious data breaches, as Colin J. Bennett explains.

Too many social media companies continue to use computational propaganda — automation and algorithms that exploit quantitative metrics to push false trends and manipulate public opinion — creating serious social impacts. Samuel Woolley writes that we need more comprehensive policy worldwide to stop these powerful companies from gaming our primary information systems.

Sep. 28 – 9:05 a.m. EDT (UTC–04:00): The theme of the World Trade Organization’s public forum this year is “Trade Beyond COVID-19: Building Resilience.” As part of the three-day event, CIGI is offering a working session entitled “How to Construct a Global Governance Architecture for Digital Trade,” moderated by CIGI Senior Fellow Susan Ariel Aaronson and including CIGI Managing Director of Digital Economy Robert Fay as a panellist.

You can find out more about this virtual panel discussion, and the forum, here. Registration for online forum participants closes September 27.

Oct. 14 – 1:30 p.m. EDT (UTC–04:00): As part of CIGI’s continued work on Reimagining a Canadian National Security Strategy for the Twenty-First Century, we are pleased to host Privacy Commissioner of Canada Daniel Therrien for a discussion on privacy protection in the context of today’s information revolution, the data-driven economy and known risks within the evolving threat landscape. A Q&A period moderated by CIGI Managing Director Aaron Shull will follow.

Learn more about this event and register to attend online here.

Dec. 7 – 9:30 a.m. EST (UTC–05:00): CIGI is pleased to host His Excellency Cong Peiwu, China’s Ambassador to Canada, for a conversation with CIGI President Rohinton P. Medhora about China’s role in the global economy. With the upcoming G20 Heads of State and Government Summit from October 30 to 31, this conversation will explore China’s role and influence in issues preoccupying governments worldwide, such as technology, trade, investment, climate change, and cyber and data governance. A Q&A period moderated by Rohinton P. Medhora will follow.

Note: The date of this event has recently changed. To join us online on Thursday, October 21, please register here.