Thread by @caparsons

Ministerial Letters are out. Things I’m seeing:

From ISED (pm.gc.ca/en/mandate-let…): plans for more natsec/surveillance around university research; right to repair stuff; update the Investment Cnd Act to support natsec assessments, more on Digital Charter, DARPA-like program

From PSC (pm.gc.ca/en/mandate-let…): CBSA review body promised, focus on financial crimes, legislation planned for 5G/critical infrastructure, more intel sharing with Cnd partners targeting research/investment; more natsec-related resources to RCMP and other security agencies [½]

More from PSC: involved in cybersecurity plan/strategy, focus on ideologically-inspired extremism + attention to cybercriminals/terroists; implement Clare’s Law; more digital surveillance at the borders, and improve security to ministers/MPs

From Justice (pm.gc.ca/en/mandate-let…): work with Heritage on online harms, do stuff to counter extremists+cybercriminals and terrorists; develop specialized sexual violence courts. Also good focus on issues of systemic racism/need to improve indigenous relations (and more!)

From Defence (pm.gc.ca/en/mandate-let…): mostly quiet except for role of overseeing @cse_cst “to ensure that they are in a position to lead Canada’s response to rapidly evolving cyber risks and threats, including through adequate resources and close cooperation with our allies.”

Lots of Ministers involved in National Cyber Security Strategy (PSC, GAC, ISED) and the National Cyber Security Action Plan (PSC, Justice, ISED, GAC). Those’ll be fun to see tease out over time, too.

Health (pm.gc.ca/en/mandate-let…): work with ISED to improve health surveillance etc (NOT defence/PSC); work with ISED on DARPA-like funding system; work to make Parliament more family-inclusive place of employment (this is a Health priority?)

GAC (pm.gc.ca/en/mandate-let…): work with partners on issues of arbitrary detention, economic coercion, cyber threats, foreign interference in democratic processes and egregious violations of human rights; work with DND + NATO on climate-related threat/emergencies

Heritage (pm.gc.ca/en/mandate-let…): adopt the Australian model to online companies re: paying news outlets operating in Canada and introduce in early 2022; work with Justice to develop/intro online harms legislation; lots of attention to French-language/Quebec issues

Immigration (pm.gc.ca/en/mandate-let…): expand resettlement program for human rights defenders; assist those needing resettlement from Afghanistan; modernize the SafeThird Country Agreement, expand permanent residence pathways available to international students.

(It should go without saying, but just in case: there’s LOTS more in those mandate letters + the other Ministers’. I’m cherry picking/highlighting things that are of interest to me personally/professionally. All letters at: pm.gc.ca/en/mandate-let…)

(I should note that DND is included in this, too. Thanks for the catch, @PJ47596176)