The Canadian government has unveiled its first national security strategy in over two decades, titled The Plan for a Stronger Canada. Released on October 29, 2026, by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration, the document identifies frontier AI models as a primary national security threat.
Officials categorized advanced artificial intelligence alongside risks such as war, espionage, sabotage, and foreign interference. The government expressed concern that frontier AI could accelerate the speed and scale of cyberattacks, allowing adversaries to identify and exploit vulnerabilities more efficiently.
The strategy outlines five core priorities: economic security, foreign policy, defense, public safety, and the modernization of intelligence capabilities. Economic security measures specifically target the protection of critical sectors, including emerging technologies, energy, transportation, and biotech.
The plan also encompasses financial infrastructure, specifically mentioning payments, settlement, and investment as areas requiring protection. This security framework builds upon the AI for All strategy introduced by the government in June 2026, which aimed to improve AI literacy and reduce reliance on international frameworks.
