Climate, food security, Arctic among Canada’s intelligence priorities, Ottawa says

By: Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press Posted: Last Modified:

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OTTAWA - The pressing issues of climate change and food security join more familiar ones like violent extremism and espionage on a new list of Canada's intelligence priorities.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/09/2024 (739 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA – The pressing issues of climate change and food security join more familiar ones like violent extremism and espionage on a new list of Canada’s intelligence priorities.

The federal government says publishing the list of priorities for the first time is an important step toward greater transparency.

The government revises the priorities every two years, based on recommendations from the national security adviser and the intelligence community.

Cars are partially submerged in flood waters in the Don Valley following heavy rain in Toronto, on July 16 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
Cars are partially submerged in flood waters in the Don Valley following heavy rain in Toronto, on July 16 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

Once the priorities are reviewed and approved by the federal cabinet, key ministers issue directives to federal agencies that produce intelligence.

Among the priorities are the security of global health, food, water and biodiversity, as well as the issues of climate change and global sustainability.

The new list also includes foreign interference and malign influence, cyberthreats, infrastructure security, Arctic sovereignty, border integrity and transnational organized crime.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.

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