This week on Secure Line, Jess and Steph tackle the election head-on — with a deep dive into how national security is (and isn’t) showing up in the party platforms. From defense to disinformation, foreign interference to financial crime, and economic resilience to hate-motivated violence, we sift through what the political parties are promising Canadians on the security front. Spoiler: the consensus across platforms might just be “do the job better.”

We break it all down in four key areas: extremism and domestic threats, espionage and economic security, disinformation and online harms, and national security capacity. And while there’s surprising overlap across party lines, there are also major omissions — like the almost complete silence on cyber threats, or the vanishing act of the once-promised Canadian Financial Crimes Agency.

Stephanie also shares insights from her latest Substack, where she’s been summarizing the national security content in each platform (link below). Whether you’re heading to the polls or just trying to make sense of what national security means in this election, this episode has you covered.

So grab your ballot — and your headphones — and tune in to the election episode of Secure Line. Because national security might not win votes, but it sure shapes the world we live in.

Stephanie's substack: https://stephaniecarvin.substack.com

Canada’s national security landscape is shifting—fast. In this whirlwind episode, the Secure Line trio reunites to break down the cacophony of news, rumors, and real threats shaping the political and intelligence environment. From foreign interference in Canada’s early election days to China’s digital whispers on WeChat, from annexation talk on X to a government that still hasn't figured out how to talk to diaspora communities—there’s signal, and then there’s a lot of noise.

We dive into SignalGate, the explosive leak from a U.S. government group chat that compromised Israeli HUMINT and rattled Five Eyes trust, and what it means for Canada’s intelligence relationships. Then, we confront a decades-old debate with new urgency: is it finally time for Canada to launch its own foreign intelligence service?

Along the way, we tackle Trudeau’s surprise RCMP white paper, how national security got sidelined in the election, and why the Mounties might be winning a bureaucratic battle they shouldn’t even be fighting.

It’s a jam-packed episode on interference, intelligence, institutional inertia—and the future of Canada’s security in a very noisy world.

In this urgent and wide-ranging episode of Secure Line, Stephanie Carvin and Leah West tackle the growing uncertainty in Canada’s defense posture amid escalating rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump. With Jessica Davis away this week, they’re joined by defense and security expert Philippe Lagassé to unpack what it all means for Canadian sovereignty, NORAD, and our military's future.From Justin Trudeau’s stark warning about Trump’s threat to Canadian sovereignty to the challenges facing the Canadian Armed Forces—aging equipment, recruitment struggles, and a reliance on U.S. systems—this episode dives deep. Lagassé explains how Canada’s “plug and play” model of defense has left us vulnerable and what a real path to military independence might look like (spoiler: it’s generational).They also discuss the 2024 defense policy update, the Arctic, NATO, the F-35, and whether the political class is ready to meet this historic moment. As Canadian defense policy gets dragged from the margins to the headlines, this episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to understand what’s next.What happens when the U.S. treats Canada like the Global South? What should the Canadian Armed Forces actually be for? And are we ready for the hard choices ahead? This is one of the most important episodes of the season.

In this special on-the-ground episode, host Stephanie Carvin takes listeners to Taipei, where she attended a series of academic and security-focused conferences, including the first-ever Canada-Taiwan academic conference on Indo-Pacific Security and the Halifax Forum's inaugural overseas event. Amidst rising global tensions and growing concerns about authoritarianism, Steph sits down with three guests offering unique perspectives on Taiwan’s geopolitical situation and its implications for democracies around the world.

• Mariam Makarova, head of the East Asia Office of the Liberal Democratic League of Ukraine, draws compelling parallels between Ukraine and Taiwan, emphasizing the need for democratic resilience and mutual learning. She highlights Ukraine’s civil defense experience as a valuable lesson for Taiwan and stresses the importance of grassroots collaboration between democracies.

• Steven Chase, reporter for The Globe and Mail, breaks down Taiwan’s internal political turmoil, marked by a legislative standoff between the ruling DPP and opposition parties. He discusses how this “constitutional crisis” is affecting Taiwan’s ability to fund defense and foreign affairs—at a critical moment when Taiwan must brace for a potentially less supportive U.S. foreign policy under Donald Trump’s return to power.

• Fan Yun, a DPP legislator, offers a passionate defense of democracy and Taiwan’s need for civil defense, democratic unity, and greater international cooperation. She calls for Canada to deepen ties with Taiwan, not just in defense, but across political, cultural, and civic sectors.

Steph closes with her reflections from Taipei, noting the vibrancy of its civil society and the urgency facing Taiwan’s democracy in the face of rising disinformation and dwindling foreign funding. She emphasizes that Canada, while not in the same situation as Taiwan or Ukraine, has much to learn from these frontline democracies as we all navigate an increasingly unstable global order.

In this episode of Secure Line, hosts Leah West and Jessica Davis are joined by Dr. Colin P. Clarke, a senior research fellow at the Soufan Center and director of research at the Soufan Group, to discuss the evolving global terrorism landscape. Building on the previous episode's focus on Canada, this conversation broadens the scope to examine the most pressing terrorism threats worldwide.Dr. Clarke delves into his recent analysis, Trends in Terrorism: What’s on the Horizon in 2025?, and reflects on how rapidly the threat landscape has shifted even since its publication in January. He discusses key developments, including the potential implications of the U.S. military restructuring AFRICOM, the growing influence of terrorist groups in Africa, and the concerning shifts in U.S. policy toward counterterrorism operations. The discussion highlights the resurgence of Al-Shabaab and Islamic State-affiliated groups, particularly in Somalia, where financial networks are sustaining jihadist operations across multiple regions.The conversation also examines the significant challenges posed by Hezbollah and Hamas following a year of heavy losses, Israel’s counterinsurgency campaign in Gaza, and how Hamas’ financial networks—largely beyond Israel’s reach—remain intact in countries like Turkey and Sudan. Colin and Jessica emphasize that while kinetic strikes have weakened Hamas militarily, financial counterterrorism efforts have not kept pace, allowing the group to sustain itself. They discuss how missteps by Israel and Western governments have, paradoxically, reinforced support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, both in the Middle East and in Western nations.Shifting focus to Syria, the discussion explores the collapse of the Assad regime and the emerging leadership of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Dr. Clarke provides insight into the risks associated with this transition, the strategic withdrawal of U.S. forces, and the ongoing threat posed by Islamic State fighters held in prison camps. The conversation underscores the persistent danger of these camps becoming a breeding ground for future jihadist movements if left unchecked.The episode then turns to the controversial issue of designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations, particularly in Canada and the United States. Dr. Clarke critiques this approach, arguing that it blurs the distinction between terrorism and organized crime, potentially diluting counterterrorism efforts and introducing unintended consequences, such as expanding CSIS’s mandate into organized crime. Jessica Davis underscores the legal and practical limitations of these designations, cautioning against their long-term implications for law enforcement and intelligence agencies.The discussion closes with an assessment of the growing threats from right-wing extremism, the resurgence of neo-Nazi and militia movements, and the potential for left-wing extremist violence in response to political developments. Dr. Clarke warns of the dangers posed by an increasingly fragmented and unpredictable extremism landscape, including groups that blend ideologies in unpredictable ways. Looking ahead, he identifies a weakened Iran as a particularly volatile factor, raising concerns about potential Iranian-backed terrorist attacks in response to its diminishing regional influence.As always, the episode concludes on a sobering note, emphasizing the complexity of modern terrorism threats and the importance of vigilance, intelligence cooperation, and effective counterterrorism strategies. Clarke, West, and Davis leave listeners with much to consider as they navigate an increasingly uncertain security environment.

In this episode of Secure Line, Leah, Jess, and Steph sit down with Ari Redbord, Head of Global Policy at TRM Labs, to explore how illicit actors are exploiting cryptocurrency to evade sanctions, launder illicit funds, and finance destabilizing activities. While North Korea’s cyber operations and crypto heists have been widely documented, a surprising revelation from TRM Labs’ latest report places Canada among the top 10 countries with the highest exposure to sanctioned entities. This unexpected ranking raises critical questions about Canada’s role in global illicit finance and the vulnerabilities in its regulatory and enforcement frameworks.We explore the world of blockchain intelligence and discuss how financial crime networks—from North Korean cybercriminals to Russian money launderers—are leveraging cryptocurrency to bypass international restrictions. Ari provides firsthand insights into how blockchain analytics tools like TRM Labs work, allowing investigators to track illicit funds across multiple chains and ultimately disrupt criminal enterprises. We also examine the broader landscape of crypto-enabled crime, including ransomware, fraud schemes, and the increasing use of AI in financial deception.As the conversation unfolds, we confront the challenges of enforcement, the gaps in Canada’s response to financial crime, and the urgent need for more resources and regulatory clarity. With cryptocurrency continuing to evolve, the battle between law enforcement and illicit actors is intensifying. What can governments do to stem the tide of crypto crime? How do investigators leverage blockchain data to uncover hidden networks? And what steps must Canada take to address its unexpected prominence in the world of illicit finance?Join us for a fascinating and eye-opening discussion on the world of crypto crime, its implications for national security, and why Canada might be playing a bigger role in this landscape than many realize. If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode of Secure Line, hosts Stephanie Carvin, Jessica Davis, and Leah West dive into the evolving landscape of state threats. They explore how modern covert operations—from cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns to acts of sabotage—are reshaping national security, highlighting a significant shift from traditional espionage to more technologically driven, transnational activities.

The episode features guest Matthew Redhead, a seasoned researcher on financial crime and national security. Drawing on insights from his report, “Old Wine, New Bottles, The Challenge of State Threats,” Redhead delves into the blurred lines between espionage, sabotage, and foreign interference. He explains how state threats now encompass a broader spectrum of covert operations, including the outsourcing of targeted assassinations to criminal networks—a trend driven by factors such as (im)plausible deniability, cost efficiency, and the exploitation of technology to access denied areas and engage in transnational repression. The discussion further contrasts the legal frameworks and defensive measures employed by Western governments with the often reckless tactics of adversarial states. 

In this episode of Secure Line, hosts Leah West and Jessica Davis examine the evolving terrorism landscape in Canada. The discussion is driven by recent terrorist attacks in the United States at the start of 2025, which reignited concerns about domestic threats. While some have suggested that ISIS is “back,” others argue it never really disappeared. At the same time, ideologically motivated violent extremism—ranging from ultraright nationalists to accelerationists—continues to expand its influence.

Award-winning investigative journalist Stewart Bell joins the conversation to analyze the findings of a new Insight Threat Intelligence report that tracks terrorism charges, incidents, and financing in Canada. The data shows a significant increase in terrorist attacks and arrests over the last decade, raising critical questions about whether Canada’s counterterrorism efforts are keeping pace with the threat. Despite these trends, the country’s official terrorism threat level has remained unchanged for over 15 years.

The episode explores several key issues, including the cost of terrorist attacks in Canada, the difficulties in prosecuting terrorism cases, and the continued influence of ISIS in recruiting young people. The discussion also looks at Canada’s reliance on intelligence sharing with the United States, particularly as the FBI undergoes major internal changes that could impact future counterterrorism cooperation.

The broader implications of economic instability and shifting U.S. foreign policy are also considered. Reductions in international aid, trade restrictions, and diplomatic shifts could create conditions that extremist groups exploit for recruitment and influence. The conversation highlights the risks of underestimating these factors and the challenges of countering extremist financing networks that remain largely intact.

The episode closes with a look ahead at future discussions on the global terrorism threat. In the next installment, Colin Clarke will join to provide insight into how these issues fit into the broader international security landscape.

This episode offers a data-driven perspective on Canada’s terrorism threat, revealing gaps in official assessments and raising important questions about the country’s counterterrorism approach.

Listen now, follow the podcast, and share widely.

Is Canada finally taking foreign interference seriously? In this episode of Secure Line, we sit down with Michelle Tessier, the former Deputy Director of Operations at CSIS, for an in-depth discussion on intelligence, transparency, and the increasing threat of foreign interference in Canada. Having spent decades at the highest levels of Canada’s intelligence service, Michelle brings a unique perspective on how the country has historically handled this growing national security challenge.

Our conversation explores the impact of the Hogue inquiry, which raised critical questions about intelligence transparency. Michelle shares her views on how CSIS has evolved in its approach to public engagement and whether Canada is ready to take meaningful action against foreign interference. She also discusses the delicate balance intelligence agencies must strike between protecting operational confidentiality and ensuring Canadians understand the threats facing their democracy.

We also examine why foreign interference remained largely overlooked for decades, despite being enshrined in the CSIS Act since the agency’s creation. Michelle reflects on the political sensitivities that kept it in the shadows and how recent revelations, particularly those involving leaked intelligence and media reports, have forced the issue into public debate. She provides insight into the long-standing intelligence-to-evidence problem, which continues to hinder Canada’s ability to prosecute national security offenses, and explains why even with new legislation, enforcement remains a challenge.

With Canada heading into a federal election and provincial elections in 2025, the conversation turns to what needs to be done to safeguard democratic institutions from foreign interference. Michelle discusses how political parties, intelligence agencies, and policymakers should be preparing, and whether the recent legal reforms granting CSIS greater ability to share intelligence with provincial leaders and other stakeholders will make a real difference.

In addition to foreign interference, we also talk about Michelle’s career at CSIS, where she was the first woman to serve in multiple senior executive roles, including Deputy Director of Operations. She shares her experiences as a leader in a traditionally male-dominated intelligence field, how the service has evolved in terms of diversity and workplace culture, and the work that still needs to be done to make Canada’s intelligence leadership more representative.

Finally, we touch on the global intelligence landscape and what a second Trump presidency could mean for Canada’s national security and its relationships with Five Eyes partners. Michelle offers her thoughts on whether intelligence cooperation can remain stable in an era of political volatility, and what lessons Canada should be learning from its allies on countering foreign influence.

In this Podmergency episode of Secure Line, Stephanie Carvin, Jessica Davis, and Leah West break down the latest Canada-U.S. border security deal, announced after the threat of sweeping tariffs from the Trump administration. They explore the $1.3 billion package aimed at securing the border, including the appointment of a fentanyl czar, the designation of cartels as terrorist organizations, and the creation of a Canada-U.S. strike force targeting organized crime and money laundering.The hosts question the effectiveness of these measures, discussing the murky concept of an "intelligence directive," the realities of financial crime enforcement in Canada, and whether listing cartels as terrorist organizations is a meaningful step or political theater. They also examine the broader implications of Trump-driven security demands and whether Canada is prioritizing the right solutions for its own fentanyl crisis.Is this a real policy shift, or just old announcements repackaged? And will any of these measures actually tackle organized crime and illicit finance? Tune in for a sharp, insightful discussion on this controversial deal's national security and economic implications. Stay to the end for a special guest appearance from Cricket.