National Defence committee  They are in reality, but in our government we have tended to focus on the Canadian security establishment to watch and monitor, because while they may be military in intent, as we know, they are often aimed at vital infrastructure, particularly public utilities, which are managed on the civilian side.

National Defence committee  The new challengers are such now.... We spent a lot of discussion in this particular hearing talking about cyber-attacks. That is something that is real and current. A few weeks ago, they closed down part of our department of global affairs, the Pearson building, and other institutions.

National Defence committee  We probably have to be slightly more innovative, just as we were in the supply ships when we decided to basically refit two ships that were being constructed in the navy yard, which previously hadn't been considered. We are interoperable with the United States. Basically, they are our principal ally.

National Defence committee  With the federal government providing funding, it's pretty much up to each provincial government to decide the curriculum. We've seen changes. I would leave it with the provincial governments, because I think they are just as concerned about what's taking place as the federal government is.

National Defence committee  In the current world it's even more important now for us to reinstitute civics. This is not a federal responsibility, but a provincial responsibility, back into the school system, because I think we're not looking at one particular group, our enforcement side. We're looking at all of society to remind people why democracy and our system of government are important, and how it takes every citizen to work for that.

National Defence committee  On NORAD, the one issue—and I listened to the last panel—that the Americans are really pressing us on is NORAD renewal. The United States is our principal partner, our binational alliance. The one that is most important to us ultimately for homeland security is NORAD. We're now being asked to do more, particularly in the north.

National Defence committee  [Technical difficulty—Editor] effort into looking at the terms and conditions under which we can both attract people and then retain them, because as Professor Leuprecht has pointed out, yes, recruitment is a problem, but so is retention. Are people doing the right things? That's why I recommend that we take a look at terms and conditions and how we are doing this in order to be able to meet the challenges you have correctly identified.

National Defence committee  Thank you, Chair. I have three messages and a plea. First, we need to rethink how we look at security. It’s been 18 years since we last conducted a national security review, yet the threats to Canada continue to evolve. Ours is a meaner, messier world. In looking at 2022, UN Secretary-General Guterres warns that the rules-based multilateral systems that Canada helped engineer and sustain are not fit for purpose.