The Intelligence Disconnect: Rethinking Canada's Security Strategy

Brigadier-General James Cox, OMM, CD, PhD (Retired), critically examines the Canadian government’s recent publication of Canada’s Intelligence Priorities, identifying their lack of policy and strategy relevance, and revealing how intelligence is misunderstood and misapplied across government. Through a deep dive into Canada's intelligence priorities, BGen Cox explores the consequences of treating intelligence as a mere product rather than a dynamic capacity essential for enabling advantageous  action by decision-makers, seeking to prevail in a competitive, anarchic international security environment. This presentation offers a candid critique of Canada’s approach to intelligence, and raises essential questions about the nation’s readiness to engage and defeat domestic and international threats to Canada.

Following a 30-minute presentation, the audience is encouraged to challenge and discuss with relevant questions. These will be non-partisan discussions aimed at generating thought-provoking responses allowing all parties to become better informed on security and defence.

The Intelligence Disconnect
Rethinking Canada's Security Strategy

Brigadier-General James Cox, OMM, CD, PhD (Retired)

Wednesday, 27 November 2024
1900 hrs (MT) via Zoom

All are welcome. Registration required.

Register Now

About the Presenter

Brigadier-General (Retired) Dr. James (Jim) S. Cox completed a 35-year military career, mainly in operational command and staff positions across Canada and on four continents. He last served as Deputy Chief of Staff Intelligence at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium, from 1998-2001.

Along the way Jim completed six operational tours of duty with the United Nations in Cyprus, Central Africa, and Somalia, and three operational NATO missions in Europe. He has trained with the United States Army, The United States Army Green Berets, The United States Marine Corps, the British Army, the British Army Special Air Service and the British Royal Marines.

After retiring from the Canadian Forces, Jim served as an analyst in the Library of Parliament, from 2005-2011, supporting the House of Commons Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan, the House of Commons Standing Committees on National Defence and Veterans Affairs, the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence, the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs and the Canadian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. He also served as the Vice-President Academic Affairs with the Canadian Military Intelligence Association from 2012-2015.

In 1993, Jim was awarded the Order of Military Merit in the grade of Officer, by the Governor General of Canada. In 2013, he received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal from the Senate of Canada, for his continuing service to Canada.

In recent years, Jim taught graduate courses in conflict management, civil-military relations, and national security intelligence at Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs and in Canadian foreign policy at the University of Ottawa. He also served as a Senior Associate with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.

Today, Jim teaches graduate courses in Intelligence and Analytics in Public Safety for Wilfrid Laurier University, serves as Patron of The Royal Canadian Regiment Association, as a member of the Council of Governors for Commissionaires Ottawa, and as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Intelligence Network (CIN).

Dr. Cox studied at the NATO Defence College in Rome and is a graduate of the University of Manitoba, the Canadian Army Command and Staff College, and the Canadian Forces College. He holds an MA and PhD in War Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada.