Open Canada

⭕ Canada ranks among the world’s top digital governments. So why does using public services still feel so broken? A new Open Canada piece by Patrick Spencer argues we are measuring the wrong thing. Rankings show what is online, but not whether services actually work across a federation. Canada is not failing to digitize government, it is struggling to make it function as one system. Read more ➡️ opencanada.org/canada-is-meas…

⭕ Canada may be stepping away from the “feminist foreign policy” label. But the contradictions in its defence policy remain. A new Open Canada piece finds that while representation has improved, the structures driving inequality remain largely untouched. Inclusion risks becoming symbolic rather than transformative. The argument draws on award-winning research published in International Journal, winner of the 2025 Marcel Cadieux Prize. Read more ➡️ opencanada.org/feminism-at-th…

David Gaillot argues that France’s evolving “advanced deterrence” doctrine risks reshaping NATO’s nuclear posture in ways that could ultimately weaken, rather than reinforce, Alliance stability. Read more ➡️ opencanada.org/nato-does-not-…

We have a great highlight reel from our 10 April CIC Couchiching Conference.

On 10 April, 'CIC Couchiching West' took place at the University of Victoria (UVic). The conference title was: Mobilizing Canada: Power, Partnerships & the Global Order. The main sponsors included the CIC, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the UVic Centre for Global Studies.

In a new Open Canada piece, Matthew da Mota, examines Canada’s ambitions in the Arctic amid rising geopolitical pressure. Arguing its strategy will depend on defence, development, commitments to Indigenous communities and the environment. Read more ➡️opencanada.org/arctic-fever-c…

In their latest Open Canada piece, Philip Leech-Ngo and Ruba Musleh examine Canada’s push for resilience in a shifting global order. It argues that the expertise Canada needs is already here, but still sits outside policy conversations. Read more➡️opencanada.org/canadas-displa…

During a Japanese visit to the White House, Trump pointed to Pearl Harbor to justify not informing allies ahead of the Iran strike. Alan Siaroff reports: opencanada.org/japans-histori…

Register now for our Members-Only Strategic Briefing featuring Wendy Gilmour in conversation with our Executive Director Melanie Walker. thecic.member365.com/public/event/d… #CICStrategicBrief #CanadaDefence #DefenceIndustrialStrategy #ForeignPolicy #NationalSecurity

Ukraine’s resistance continues to define this geopolitical moment. Former Canadian diplomat, Jeremy Kinsman, argues Putin has already failed in his central aim. What was meant to weaken Ukraine has strengthened its unity. Read more: opencanada.org/four-years-on-…

Join us on March 12 at the Arcadian Court for the 3rd Annual Bill Graham Lecture on International Affairs featuring Professor Geoffrey Hinton. To reserve your place, please visit: thecic.member365.com/public/event/d…

This @globeandmail op-ed raises important questions about media amplification in Canada–U.S. relations. Pete Hoekstra has long been a prominent voice in this space. These issues are central to discussions on the Red Passport podcast. Tune in here: opencanada.org/red-passport-p…

Greenland has historically pursued autonomy through negotiation rather than rupture, but rising global interest now necessitates a closer look at the legal constraints on its political options. Read the full article here: opencanada.org/greenlands-pol…

Canada’s global role is evolving. Share your perspective in the CIC 2026 Foreign Policy Survey. Take the survey: survey.euro.confirmit.com/wix/0/p9625727… - Le rôle international du Canada évolue. Partagez votre point de vue dans le sondage du CIC 2026. Répondez au sondage: survey.euro.confirmit.com/wix/0/p9625727…

Canada’s place in the world is shifting...fast! What should our foreign policy priorities be in 2026? ***Take the 5-minute survey and make your voice count. Share your perspective. Shape the conversation. survey.euro.confirmit.com/wix/0/p9625727…

How to Defend Greenland and NATO It’s time for NATO members to take more concrete actions against Trump’s threats, which if continued will inevitably lead to the invocation of NATO’s Article Four. opencanada.org/how-to-defend-…

Tomorrow, at 2 pm PT / 5 pm ET and on Zoom, Open Canada will be in conversation with Iran expert Abbas Qaidari. Abbas will be speaking about the situation in Iran and everyone is invited to attend. us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

Erin Hunt has a new article on Open Canada today... The Ottawa Treaty reminds us that mines are indiscriminate and inhumane and people should be at the centre of peace and security. Defiant not Naïve: The Ottawa Treaty Today. opencanada.org/defiant-not-na…