Economic Resilience and Security Initiative

Canada’s economic security increasingly depends on its ability to compete in strategic industries, strengthen supply chains and domestic capabilities, and manage dependencies without closing itself off from the global economy. As industrial policy, economic coercion and geopolitical competition reshape global markets, Canada needs a clearer view of what it must build, where it can remain open, and where greater protection and resilience are required.

China’s state-supported industrial strategy is a central part of this challenge. Across critical minerals, batteries, connected vehicles, clean technology, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and other foundational industries, its scale creates opportunities for engagement but also competitive pressures and strategic dependencies that can become difficult to unwind.

The Initiative will develop the sector-specific analysis needed to navigate these choices. It will examine where engagement with Chinese companies, capital and technologies serves Canadian interests, where dependencies create unacceptable risk, what Canada should seek in return for market access, and what needs to be protected, restricted or strengthened. The work will also consider how these choices affect Canada’s industrial ambitions, supply-chain resilience and evolving economic relationship with the United States.

Because many of these challenges are shared, CSS will build an international research and policy network with trusted partners in the Indo-Pacific and Europe facing similar choices. Comparative research and policy dialogue will examine industrial overcapacity, critical dependencies, investment and technology security, research protection and the Arctic dimensions of strategic competition. The objective is to strengthen Canada’s economic resilience and industrial position while preserving openness where it serves Canadian interests and protecting sovereignty and national security.