Canada’s Security Plan Adds Frontier AI to Its National Threat Agenda

Canada’s first national security strategy in more than 20 years identifies frontier artificial intelligence (AI) as a major threat and includes payments, settlement and investment among sectors to protect.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government released “The Plan for a Stronger Canada” on Thursday, Oct. 29. The document runs more than 13 pages.

Advanced AI models may amplify existing cyber threats by helping adversaries find and exploit weaknesses more quickly and at greater scale.

The plan sets five priorities: economic security, foreign policy, defense, public safety and intelligence modernization. It names emerging technologies, critical minerals, defense, energy and transportation as strategic sectors. The list also includes pharmaceuticals and biotech, food security, and payments, settlement and investment.

The strategy calls for updated intelligence capabilities and stronger digital defenses to prepare Canada for severe scenarios, including major conflict. In June 2026, the government released a separate “AI for All” strategy focused on improving AI literacy and reducing Canada’s reliance on international frameworks.