Building Canada’s capacity to act
An independent institution built for a more competitive and fragmented world
About Us
Turning ambition into action
Strategic statecraft is the ability to connect national ambition to national capability. For Canada, that means sharper focus, strength at home, and partnerships that do real work.
The Centre for Strategic Statecraft works with government, industry and the expert community to build that connection. The result is a more capable, resilient and influential Canada, working with democratic partners to shape a secure and prosperous future.
The Centre for Strategic Statecraft works with government, industry and the expert community to build that connection. The result is a more capable, resilient and influential Canada, working with democratic partners to shape a secure and prosperous future.
What We Do
Areas of Work
CSS works across a connected set of issues central to Canada's security, prosperity and international influence.
In its initial phase, the Centre is concentrating on flagship initiatives where it can make the greatest impact and build the partnerships required for future growth.
In its initial phase, the Centre is concentrating on flagship initiatives where it can make the greatest impact and build the partnerships required for future growth.
India Initiative
Deepening Canadian competence on India as its strategic and economic importance grows, and building a stronger bilateral relationship through executive education, strategic dialogue, practical sectoral cooperation and partnerships with leading Indian institutions.
Economic Resilience and Security Initiative
Strengthening Canada’s economic resilience and industrial position through strategic choices on supply chains, critical dependencies, investment and industrial capacity: identifying where Canada should build, diversify, protect and remain open.
AI and Quantum Initiative
Linking Canada’s research excellence in artificial intelligence and quantum to commercialization, industrial capacity and economic security, with trusted partners in the Indo-Pacific and Europe.
Arctic Security and Defence Initiative
Connecting Canada’s Arctic priorities across defence, economic security, infrastructure and foreign policy, while building the capabilities and partnerships needed to turn sovereignty and strategy into sustained action.
Featured Publications
Policy Magazine
The Great Rebound: How Donald Trump is Accelerating the Canada-India Rapprochement
Vina Nadjibulla | August 24, 2026
The collapse of Canada–U.S. trade negotiations has imbued Prime Minister Mark Carney’s diversification agenda with a new sense of urgency. Among the partners crucial to that agenda is India.
India Initiative
The Globe and Mail
Canada didn’t chicken out. We did the right thing
Patrick Leblond | August 22, 2026
Carney and his team indicated that they were ready to walk away from a deal and face the threatened tariffs.
Economic Resilience and Security Initiative
Strategic Analysis Network
What security benefits or risks should the Government of Canada consider when thinking about AI?
Balkan Devlen | August 5, 2026
Ottawa’s new AI strategy is a competent document about a narrow problem. It wants more firms adopting AI, more compute on Canadian soil, fewer dependencies running through foreign clouds.
AI and Quantum Initiative
Eurasia Review
India’s National Security Strategy: Critical And Emerging Technologies – Analysis
Karthik Nachiappan | August 5, 2026
Critical and emerging technologies (CETs), including artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, cyber capabilities, quantum technologies, drones, advanced communications and space systems, are increasingly central to India’s evolving national security strategy. These technologies are reshaping how India prepares for conflict, protects its economic interests, manages strategic competition and structures its partnerships.
India Initiative
Policy Magazine
Canada and India Reset Ties in a Realigning World
Sanjay Ruparelia | November 27, 2025
The joint declaration that India and Canada issued from the sidelines of the South Africa G20 this week announcing that the two countries are seeking a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is a significant development.
India Initiative
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Press Room
Photo: GoToVan
Toronto Star
While some debate the word, we overlook Canada’s real problem with terrorism
September 8, 2026
| Stephanie Carvin, Senior Fellow
A recent controversy over the CBC’s approach to describing terrorism and the September 11 attacks opened a debate over what we do and do not call terrorism, but it also exposed a preoccupation with terminology over substance when it comes to terrorism in Canada.
Economic Resilience and Security Initiative
The Globe & Mail
Canada holds first defence co-ordination talks with China in more than eight years
September 8, 2026
| Vina Nadjibulla, CSS Team
Canada has restarted military talks with China after a break of more than eight years that began with Beijing’s jailing of two Canadians in late 2018.
Economic Resilience and Security Initiative
Centre for Strategic Statecraft
Centre for Strategic Statecraft Launches to Strengthen Canada’s Capacity to Act
September 8, 2026
The Centre for Strategic Statecraft (CSS) officially launched today as a new independent, non-partisan think tank dedicated to strengthening Canada’s capacity to advance its interests and exercise greater agency in a more competitive and fragmented world.
The Hill Times
U.S. eyes updated pact on critical minerals amid calls for Canadian cut off
September 2, 2026
Canada has been seeking to link discussions on critical minerals to broader conversations about its relationship with the U.S., but that may not bear fruit, say observers.
Economic Resilience and Security Initiative
The Globe and Mail
Don’t worry, Canada. The trade war will end, and end quickly
September 1, 2026
| Fen Osler Hampson, Advisory Board Member
Feeling down about Trump’s trade wars and the latest tariff hit against Canada? Don’t be despondent. Though things may get a lot nastier, particularly if we get trapped in a cycle of counterretaliation, Canadians can take some comfort in the fact that trade wars don’t last forever.
Economic Resilience and Security Initiative
Photo: Lars Hagberg
Toronto Star
Don’t try to punish Donald Trump’s America with tariffs. Do this instead
August 30, 2026
| Wolfgang Alschner, Senior Fellow
The real question is not how much short-term trade pain Canada can inflict on the United States, but how Canada can use this opportunity for long-term gain by building a stronger, resilient economy at home. That is why Canada must play defence, not offence.
Economic Resilience and Security Initiative
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Who We Are
