As countries place greater focus on defence spending, supply chain security, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure, NATO allies and partner nations are moving forward with plans for the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, or DSRB. The proposed institution would provide long-term financing for defence, security, and resilience projects across allied countries.

Canada has played a leading role in the discussions and has been selected to host the bank’s future headquarters, with several Canadian cities being considered. Today, Jeff Tasseron and Jonathan Berkshire Miller join us to explore what the DSRB could mean for Canada, NATO allies, and the future of defence and security financing.

Jeff Tasseron is a retired colonel and fellow with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute (CGAI). Jonathan Berkshire Miller is Co-Founder and Principal at Pendulum Geopolitical Advisory, part of the Pendulum Group.

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As the Mark Carney government marks one year since its April 28, 2025 election, its defence agenda has been defined by a sharp increase in military spending, major procurement and procurement-system reforms, and a series of new industrial and international defence partnerships in response to a more contested global security environment and ongoing pressure from the United States under Donald Trump. This includes efforts to rebuild CAF readiness, accelerate capability delivery, and expand Canada’s defence industrial base.

On this week's episode of the Expert Series, CDA Institute Chair and former CDS, General (Ret'd) Tom Lawson reflects on the first year of the Carney government’s defence agenda and its most consequential announcements, assessing whether they are strengthening Canada’s defence capability in practice. He also analyzes this week's spring economic update and the launch of the Canada Strong Fund.

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The Arctic has become an increasingly important focus of North American defence planning due to its geographic role as the shortest route for a range of modern missile systems and its growing relevance to surveillance, maritime activity, and early-warning infrastructure. At the same time, evolving threats are placing pressure on existing continental defence arrangements, particularly the Canada–U.S. bilateral NORAD framework, to operate across multiple domains and integrate air, maritime, space, and cyber awareness more effectively.

On this week’s episode of the Expert Series, Dr. Andrea Charron discusses Canada’s planned Arctic infrastructure investments, the evolving strategic importance of the Arctic in North American defence planning, and continental security cooperation.

She examines the Arctic as a key approach corridor for modern missile systems, the importance of improved situational awareness through expanded sensing infrastructure such as over-the-horizon radar, satellites, and maritime monitoring systems, NORAD’s evolving role as the core binational Canada–U.S. command responsible for warning of air and missile threats, Greenland’s strategic significance as part of the early warning architecture, and the need for clearer distinctions between sovereignty and security language in policy discussions.

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The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

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As NATO adapts to a rapidly evolving security environment following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, countries across the Nordic region are strengthening deterrence by advancing “total defence” models that integrate military capability with civilian resilience, critical infrastructure protection, and whole-of-society preparedness.

On today’s episode of the Expert Series, or fellow Dr. David Borys is joined by Ambassador Signe Burgstaller, Ambassador of Sweden to Canada; Ambassador Hanna-Leena Korteniemi, Ambassador of Finland to Canada; Mr. Jon-Åge Øyslebø, Deputy Head of Mission to the Embassy of Norway to Canada; and Ambassador Nikolaj Harris, Ambassador of Denmark to Canada; to discuss how each country operationalizes total defence in practice, from national resilience systems and public preparedness to civil-military coordination and crisis planning. The conversation explores how these approaches are rooted in history, geography, and evolving threat perceptions, while increasingly converging across the Nordic region.

We examine how the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO has reshaped operational planning in Northern Europe, strengthening integration across the Arctic and Baltic regions and enabling more coordinated defence postures. The panel also highlights the growing importance of joint exercises, interoperability, and multinational cooperation with partners like Canada in the High North.

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As NATO adapts to a rapidly evolving security environment following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, countries across the Nordic-Baltic region are strengthening deterrence by adopting a “total defence” approach that integrates military capability with civilian resilience, economic stability, and societal preparedness.

On today’s episode of the Expert Series, Ambassador Egidijus Meilūnas, Ambassador of Lithuania to Canada; Ambassador Margus Rava, Ambassador of Estonia to Canada; and Colonel Oskars Kudlis, Defence Attache of Latvia to Canada, joined us to discuss how Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania operationalize whole-of-society defense, the enduring threat posed by Russia alongside growing hybrid challenges, and how NATO’s posture in the region has shifted from forward presence to a more robust forward defense model.

We examine the role of conscription, reserve forces, and civilian readiness in building national resilience, as well as the importance of interoperability and multinational coordination across NATO allies. The panel also explores evolving regional dynamics, including the strategic implications of the Baltic Sea becoming increasingly NATO-aligned, and highlights Canada’s leadership in Latvia through the Enhanced Forward Presence mission, alongside opportunities to deepen cooperation in defence industry, Arctic security, cyber defence, and critical infrastructure protection.


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The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

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On March 26, 2026, Canada reached the NATO defence spending target of two per cent of GDP for the first time in decades. The government achieved this after a late boost to defence funding, supported by internal reorganization and measures to strengthen the military. The milestone reflects Canada’s efforts to meet allied expectations and reinforce its defence capabilities.

Today, Dr. Philippe Lagassé and Dr. Stephen Saideman analyze the significance of Canada reaching 2% of GDP on defence spending, exploring whether it materially enhances Canadian security, the future of NATO, and the challenges of achieving the next alliance target of 5%, building a domestic defence industrial base, trade-offs required for higher spending targets, and the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on the Canadian public’s increased interest in defence and whether that interest can be sustained.

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The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

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On today’s episode of the Expert Series, we bring you a special recap recorded on the sidelines of the 2026 Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence - capturing timely reflections aligned with this year’s theme, “The Road to 5%.” As Canada signals a major shift in defence spending and strategic posture, this episode offers a snapshot of the conversations shaping thinking in real time across the defence and security community.

Drawing on conversations with speakers throughout the event, this episode reflects on the broader tone and takeaways emerging from the conference floor - from the urgency of the current geopolitical moment to the growing recognition that Canada must adapt its approach to security, sovereignty, and resilience. Featuring insights from Jill E. Sinclair, Dr. Joakim Berndtsson, Jonathan Berkshire Miller, and Charlotte Duval-Lantoine. It highlights the value of forums like this in fostering dialogue, building cross-sector connections, and creating space for new ideas and partnerships to take shape.

The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

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As Canada seeks its security and operational capacity in the North, Prime Minister Mark Carney recently announced a $35-billion federal plan to expand defence capabilities and infrastructure across the Arctic and northern regions, including upgrades to military bases, new operational hubs, improved airports, and road construction projects.

On today’s episode of the Expert Series, MGen (Ret’d) Michel Lalumiere, Dr. James Fergusson, and Dr. Rob Huebert joined us to discuss the significance of these investments, the distinction between Arctic development and defence spending, and what these initiatives mean for Canada’s Arctic security and northern communities.

We unpack upgrades to northern forward operating locations in Yellowknife, Inuvik, and Iqaluit, the role of infrastructure in Arctic defence, and the NORAD modernization and related capabilities. The panel also explores Canada–U.S. defence cooperation, the challenges of implementing ambitious projects amid cost pressures and community impacts, and the strategic implications of shifting threats from Russia and China for long-term Arctic defence policy.

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The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

Learn more: CDA Institute