United in Service of Defence and Security since 1920 |
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Peacekeeping Day Calgary 2025 – Community members gathered to honour Canada’s peacekeepers and their service. More details can be found in the article in this issue. |
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Dear Visitor, In this Issue: - Rationale for U.S. Tariffs = Leverage for Canada’s National Security
- Rocky Mountain Conference on Security and Defence
- Peacekeeping Day 2025
- Let's Get Real – Now on Facebook!
- EVENT CALENDAR: Canadian Seapower 2025, Gino: A Child of War
- Join RAUSI
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The economic impact of US’ tariffs on Canada’s economy is at scale, immediate and gravely prejudices Canada’s vital national interests. Determinative of US’ tariffs is their root policy rationale of ‘national emergency’ and ‘national security. Both are centres of gravity of the US’ ensuing actionable conduct, i.e., tariffs. Ipso facto, this rationale becomes indisputable justification that Canada may choose to employ to advance and leverage its national interests. One means to exercise this choice is to reduce reliance on US’ exclusivity of supply of defence infrastructure. Less reliance may be said to ‘impair goodwill,’ ‘undermine good relations’ and ‘hurt a trusted ally,’ but such argumentation is not persuasive. States first invoke policy to advance the sovereign’s self-interest to survive, with international relations becoming secondary outcomes of policy. US’ policy strategy validates this dynamic. |
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Rocky Mountain Conference on Security and Defence |
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Canada needs its own national security strategy. To inform that conversation, RAUSI is hosting a series of Fireside Chats that look at how allies approach the process. This first event examines the U.S. model — how civilian and military leaders work together to turn national interests into strategy, and what lessons Canadians can take from it. Who sits at the table, and what’s the process from the National Security Strategy (NSS), to the National Defense Strategy (NDS), to the National Military Strategy (NMS)? RAUSI welcomes two distinguished American voices to walk us through the process: - Thomas Wright, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and former Special Assistant to the U.S. President, who served as lead drafter of the 2022 National Security Strategy.
- Lieutenant General Mark C. Schwartz (Ret’d), U.S. Army, a career Green Beret and former U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority, with extensive NATO, UN, and intergovernmental experience.
Together, they will unpack how civilian and military leaders interact in shaping strategy, where the process succeeds and struggles, and what Canada can learn as we develop our own defence vision. Thursday, 25 September 2025
1900 hours (MT) via Zoom All are welcome. Registration is required. |
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On 10 August, RAUSI joined fellow Calgarians to honour Canada’s fallen and serving peacekeepers at the annual Peacekeepers Day Ceremony. The day drew a strong turnout, with UN Peacekeepers, representatives from the RCMP, Calgary Police and Fire, Mayor Jyoti Gondek, and the honour guard in attendance. RAUSI was formally represented in the wreath laying by: - Jim Golbourn, CD (Retired) – Royal Canadian Navy
- Major Kent Griffiths, MMM, CD (Retired) – Canadian Army
- Honorary Colonel John Melbourne, CD (Retired) – Royal Canadian Air Force
The Guest Speaker, Colonel Charles Hamel (Retired) — a RAUSI member — spoke about Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson’s vision for peacekeeping, and shared his own experiences in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His reflections underscored the importance of "peace making," and the dedication and sacrifice of Canadians who have served in peacekeeping missions around the world. Many other RAUSI members were also present to pay their respects. We remain steadfast in honouring the courage, professionalism, and commitment of all who serve in the cause of peace. |
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Enjoying RAUSI Dispatches?If you know someone interested in defence, security, and strategic affairs, encourage them to subscribe to RAUSI Dispatches for insights, event updates, and expert commentary – delivered straight to their inbox. Sign up through rausi.ca. |
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Let's Get Real is now on Facebook! | Our thought-provoking series, Let’s Get Real, has officially launched on RAUSI’s Facebook page. This is your chance to explore big ideas and bold perspectives on national security, international affairs, and Canada’s role in a rapidly changing world. We’ve just released three new posts. Now’s the time to read, reflect, and jump into the discussion: 🔹 The General – Are we trading privacy for protection? (31 Jul)
🔹 The Realist – Canada in a shifting reality (5 Aug)
🔹 The Strategist – Are we living up to our peacekeeping legacy? (7 Aug)
Join us on Facebook or LinkedIn to share your insights, and help shape the conversation. |
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Be part of two days of in-depth discussion in Calgary focused on the future of Canada’s maritime security. Hear from leaders in the Canadian Navy and Coast Guard, along with experts from academia and policy think tanks.
Keynote and featured speakers include Vice Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, and Dr. Marc Milner, Professor of History and Director of the Gregg Centre for the Study of War at the University of New Brunswick. 26-27 September 2025
MacEwan Hall Ballroom, University of Calgary Event cost: $50 |
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Gino: A Child of War is a touching docudrama inspired by an incredible story of hope and kindness amid the chaos of war. The film narrates the story of Gino Farnetti-Bragaglia, a 5-year-old boy discovered frightened, hungry, and wandering amidst the war-torn ruins of Torrice, Italy, in 1944, by compassionate Canadian soldiers. For the next ten months, Gino found shelter, nourishment, and care among his Canadian 'guardian angels.' A special bond formed between Gino, Lloyd 'Red' Oliver and other Canadian soldiers. This film portrays their remarkable relationship and the untold story that connects them to this day. Saturday, 11 October 2025
1900 hours (MT)
Global Cinema (617 8 Avenue SW, Calgary)
Tickets: $25 Documentary run time 55 minutes.
Q&A with Producer and Director following the show. This event has been generously sponsored by Millennium Rotary. All proceeds go towards Matters of History and the Veteran's Food Bank. |
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RAUSI’s legacy dates back over a century, originating during WWI. Being a member means you are part of a historic tradition of national service—an inspiring link to generations of Canadians dedicated to shaping and protecting Canada’s place in the world. RAUSI remains a unique institution at the forefront of national defence dialogue and professional development. Visit our website to learn more about why membership is invaluable today. |
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All members are welcome to contribute newsworthy matters to future monthly issues of Dispatches by e-mailing us at admin@rausi.ca. Questions or submissions? Write to admin@rausi.ca. |
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RAUSI is a Canadian-based forum for global civilians, humanitarian, military and international police communities to present original thought on trending issues, in their formative stages, as they relate to global security and defence. Formed in 1920 as a think tank, RAUSI later evolved into a service organization for veterans in the decades following the World Wars. In this new era, RAUSI has evolved back into a think tank, publishing original content, curating extant articles, and sponsoring speakers' symposia which amplify cross-disciplinary models of 21st-century security and defence. |
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Copyright © 2024. Royal Alberta United Service Institute (RAUSI), All rights reserved.
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