Prime Minister Mark Carney's government released a national security plan that puts advanced AI alongside war, espionage and foreign interference
Canada has a new national security strategy, its first in more than 20 years. One of the biggest threats it names is software.
Federal officials said frontier AI models could be among the greatest threats Canadians face today. That puts them on the same list as war, hackers, espionage, sabotage and foreign interference.
What the strategy actually says
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government released the document on Thursday, October 29, 2026. It is titled “The Plan for a Stronger Canada.”
It runs to more than 13 pages.
The scope is broad. The strategy covers war, artificial intelligence, cyberattacks, espionage, sabotage, foreign interference and climate change. It also commits to a whole-of-government approach on sovereignty and public safety.
The strategy describes frontier AI as potentially “one of the greatest threats facing Canadians today.”
The concern is about speed and reach. Officials argue that the most advanced AI models can boost existing cyber threats. They could let adversaries find and exploit weaknesses faster and at a larger scale than before.
Five priorities and a long list of protected sectors
The plan is organized around five priorities. They are economic security, foreign policy, defence, public safety and the modernization of intelligence.
Economic security gets particular attention. The strategy names a set of strategic sectors it wants to protect. These include emerging technologies, critical minerals, defence, energy and transportation.
The list goes further. It also covers pharmaceuticals and biotech, food security, and payments, settlement and investment.
Intelligence and cyber defences are also central to the plan. The government wants to update its intelligence capabilities and harden its digital defences. The stated goal is to prepare Canada for severe scenarios, including major conflict.
From innovation story to security story
On the same day the strategy came out, Carney delivered a speech focused on AI in Montreal.
This builds on earlier policy. In June 2026, the government released its “AI for All” strategy. That plan focused on improving AI literacy and reducing Canada’s reliance on international frameworks.
