# Canada Unveils National Security Strategy Centered on Technological Sovereignty The new framework prioritizes emerging technologies to secure Canada's economic and defensive future. - **Source:** [BetaKit](https://betakit.com) - **Published:** 2026-10-29 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/44c4c035-dc97-4dd0-a3e7-6c9e6c3fb38a ## Strategic Pivot to Sovereignty Canada released its first national security strategy in two decades, titled The Plan for a Stronger Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasizes that technological autonomy is now the bedrock of national safety. The 13-page document outlines a shift toward domestic control, framing technological independence as a vital component of modern state security. ## Prioritizing Emerging Tech Sectors The strategy identifies eight critical sectors, placing emerging technologies at the forefront of national development. Key focus areas include AI compute, quantum computing, space-based communications, semiconductors, and telecommunications. These sectors are deemed essential for maintaining economic stability and foreign policy influence, alongside traditional areas like energy, defense, and critical minerals. ## Intelligence Agency Modernization Canada aims to bolster its intelligence capabilities by modernizing authorities within agencies like the Communications Security Establishment and CSIS. The government plans to invest in AI and secure cloud infrastructure to enhance intelligence processing. Furthermore, the strategy commits to increasing contributions to the international Five Eyes intelligence partnership to address evolving threats. ## Domestic Investment and Cohere Simultaneous with the strategy launch, the government announced a 1.6-billion-dollar investment in the homegrown AI developer Cohere. Prime Minister Carney stated this move ensures Canada controls its own technological future. This follows a broader trend of the administration prioritizing domestic ownership over reliance on foreign-controlled technologies like Starlink for national infrastructure. ## Policy Framework and Procurement The government has pledged to produce plans for nearly 40 policy points to support the strategy. These include implementing a buy Canadian policy and improving defense procurement processes. The administration intends to cement Canada as a major player in commercializing advanced technologies, ensuring that domestic capabilities remain competitive on the global stage. ## Industry Concerns on Ownership Daniel Perry of the Council of Canadian Innovators praised the identified priorities but highlighted a lack of detail regarding intellectual property. He warned that strategic autonomy depends on Canadian ownership of IP. Without clear standards, Perry argues that Canada’s dependence on foreign technology may simply shift onshore rather than being eliminated. ## Broader Context of Autonomy This national security strategy aligns with the Carney government’s ongoing efforts to improve technological independence. Throughout 2026, the administration has rolled out a Defence Industrial Strategy and a refreshed AI strategy. These initiatives collectively emphasize the necessity of sovereign capabilities to navigate great power rivalries, authoritarian aggression, and complex global cyber threats. ## Future Legislative Steps The federal government plans to convene a First Ministers meeting to discuss the implementation of these security measures. Additionally, officials intend to bring forward a proposal to modernize national security legislation within the next year. These steps aim to align legal frameworks with current technological realities and ensure long-term national resilience. ## Sources covering this story - https://betakit.com/canadas-new-national-security-strategy-puts-tech-front-and-centre/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._