Question Period Note: Research Security

• Canadian research community is vulnerable to foreign threat actors seeking to exploit Canadian knowledge, data, and expertise.
• The Government of Canada is taking concrete measures to protect cutting-edge Canadian research, development, and technology that is being actively targeted by foreign state actors to advance their geopolitical, economic, and security interests.

• The government recognizes that protecting Canada’s national security and long-term economic prosperity requires a research environment that is both open and collaborative, yet adequately protected.
• That is why Canada is actively supporting the research community through the work of the Research Security Centre, alongside Canada’s security and intelligence agencies, by engaging researchers on security matters, conducting outreach and developing useful guidance and tools to build a strong research security culture.
• In 2024, CSIS collaborated with Five Eyes partners to launch Secure Innovation, a shared security advice initiative to help protect emerging technology companies, researchers, and investors from threats.

• Additionally, with the implementation of the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnership and the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern, new eligibility criteria for federal grants has been introduced to protect Canadian investment into research. Federal research funding is closely reviewed by our national security agencies, which helps safeguard cutting edge research by mitigating research security risks.
• We continue to work closely with the academic and private sectors, as well as our closest international allies, to develop further ways to protect Canada’s research.

Threat Environment
• Canada's open and collaborative research environment, supported by open science principles, makes it attractive for cutting-edge research but also vulnerable to foreign threat actors. These actors exploit academic collaborations, cyber-attacks, and other means to access Canadian knowledge, data, and expertise, targeting both dual-use technologies and social sciences.
• Foreign interference and espionage targeting Canada’s research and academic instutions has been increasing steadily, especially from the PRC. Certain sectors, like biopharma, health, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, ocean technology, and aerospace, face heightened threat activity.

Research Security Centre
• Budget 2022 established the Research Security Centre at Public Safety Canada, which is comprised of two teams that implement the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships and the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern, create and distribute research security tools and resources, and provides direct support to researchers and universities. Since it’s inception, the Centre's regional advisors have engaged with academics and universities over 1600 times to date to provide direct advice and guidance.
National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships
• The Government released the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships in 2021, developed with the Government of Canada-Universities Working Group to integrate national security considerations into the development, evaluation and funding of research partnerships with private partners. Researchers, research organizations and Government funders are encouraged to use these guidelines to assess and protect their research and partnerships.
Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC)
• In January 2024, the Government released this policy and new eligibility criteria for federal grant applications after close consultations with implicated federal departments and agencies including Canada’s federal granting councils as well as the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Global Affairs Canada and Government of Canada-Universities Working Group. In order to be eligible for federal funding, the policy prohibits collaboration in a defined sensitive technology research area with listed named research organizations that pose a risk to Canada’s national security.
Safeguarding Science
• Public Safety Canada, namely the Research Security Centre (RSC) has led the Safeguarding Science (SASC) initiative to provide interactive workshops to Canadian universities and the broader research community to equip them with the knowledge and tools required to protect their valuable research. The primary objective SASC is to raise awareness within Canada’s research community of the potential for misuse of dual-use research, technology, and materials, along with potential risk indicators and mitigation tools to protect Canadian research assets. The RSC has also worked diligently with other government departments to develop additional modules based on varying research security-related pressures around the country. The RSC has partnered with Global Affairs Canada on export controls; Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada on the international student immigration process; and with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service on elements of dual-use technologies. In addition, RSC has developed modules Travel Safely and Conducting Open-Source Due-Diligence for researchers.

The Safeguarding Your Research Online Portal
• In September 2020, the Government of Canada, in collaboration with universities, launched the Safeguarding Your Research online portal. This public resource raises awareness and provides tools and guidance on identifying and mitigating research security risks including offering best practices, a due diligence guide, and links to relevant content. The portal is similar to guidance from allies like the UK, Australia, and the US.
CSIS Academic Outreach
• CSIS regularly provides in-depth briefings that help secure Canada’s world class advanced research ecosystem from threats of state-sponsored espionage and foreign interference. These briefings have been delivered directly to academic and research institutions, and to research advocacy associations across sensitive technologies, life sciences, and other sectors.
• Recent amendments to the CSIS Act facilitate this collaboration as they allow CSIS to better equip a broader range of national security stakeholders by providing them with more information to increase awareness and build resilience against threats.
 

If Pressed
Q1- How is sensitive research being protected at Government of Canada’s labs?
• Each government department has a dedicated security function to address and manage their unique security needs.
• Furthermore, the Research Security Centre has been providing support and outreach to Government departments who possess sensitive science to reinforce security practices into their research practices.