As geopolitical tensions intensify – from Russian hybrid warfare and Arctic competition to AI-enabled disinformation and transnational repression – Canada and its allies face mounting strategic challenges. The Montreal Institute for Global Security continues to advance policy solutions, convene international partnerships, and elevate Canada’s voice on democratic resilience at home and abroad.
MIGS Joins Coalition to Bring the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank to Montreal
MIGS has joined a broad coalition of public and private sector leaders, spearheaded by Montreal International, to support Montreal’s bid to host the proposed multilateral Defence, Security and Resilience (DSR) Bank. MIGS signed an open letter and participated in a press conference with senior political and financial leaders.
Advancing Canada – Japan Security Cooperation
At a time of growing concern over critical infrastructure sabotage and geopolitical instability in the Indo-Pacific, with the support of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, MIGS led a high-level delegation to Tokyo to strengthen Canada–Japan cooperation on security and strategic resilience – with a particular focus on subsea cable protection.
Institutions engaged during the visit included: Embassy of Canada to Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, The Nippon Foundation, Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, Nakasone Peace Institute, International House of Japan, Institute of Geoeconomics, Japan Institute for International Affairs – Center for Global Outreach, The University of Tokyo, Temple University Japan, United Nations University, Fujitsu Future Studies Center, The Mainichi Newspaper.
Canada–Germany Initiative on AI and Democratic Integrity
MIGS secured funding from the Heinrich Böll Stiftung to launch the Canada–Germany Initiative on AI, Security, and Democratic Integrity, examining how artificial intelligence is reshaping democratic institutions and international security.
Launch: Transnational Repression in Canada
On 17 February, MIGS will launch its new report titled“Transnational Repression in Canada: A Threat to Democracy and Public Safety” at the Canadian Parliament.
MIGS continues to elevate Arctic security issues through expert commentary, research, and participation in international forums addressing sovereignty, hybrid threats, and strategic competition.
The Institute engaged in consultations with Global Affairs Canada in preparation for the 24th Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity.
Monika Le Roy – Fellow
Alex Dalziel – Senior Fellow for Arctic Security
Thelma Caye – Project Assistant
In December and January, MIGS advanced its work on international justice, democratic resilience, and emerging security threats through a series of high-level engagements across North America and Europe. In partnership with the Global Institute for the Prevention of Aggression (GIPA), MIGS co-organized a panel on accountability for the crime of aggression following the ICC Special Session, while Executive Director Kyle Matthews spoke on democracy and disinformation in liberal societies and moderated discussions on digital transnational repression at a European Union event in Ottawa. He also delivered a keynote for the Canadian High Commission of the United Kingdom on authoritarianism in the digital age. Meanwhile, MIGS fellows contributed expertise on Arctic and High North security at the Royal United Services Institute, AI weaponization and disinformation at WIIS McGill, and Arctic preparedness at the Arctic Frontier Conference in Norway, while Melissa Chan spoke in Texas on global revolution and democratic struggle – collectively reinforcing MIGS’ role as a leading voice on international justice, hybrid threats, and democratic security.
Opinion & Commentary
Media Appearances
Authoritarian states are escalating hybrid warfare tactics. Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global information battlefield. Canada’s sovereignty, critical infrastructure, and democratic institutions face growing pressure. Independent, policy-driven research remains essential to strengthening democratic resilience.
Attend our events, read and share our reports, and support independent research defending Canada’s sovereignty and democratic resilience.
As we mark the first anniversary of the Montreal Institute for Global Security (MIGS), we are proud to share highlights from a year of growth, global engagement, and impact. From high-level dialogues and new partnerships to major reports and policy influence, MIGS continues to position Canada at the forefront of defending democracy and global security.
New Fellows Join MIGS
We’re delighted to welcome Dr. Terence McNamee, Elizabeth Anderson, Christopher Alexander, Chris Beall, Melissa Chan and Sandra Aubé as our newest Fellows. Their expertise will further strengthen MIGS’ research and global network.
New Report — “Wired for War: How Authoritarian States Are Weaponizing AI Against the West”
In partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Canada and written by Kyle Matthews and Marie Lamensch, this report explores how autocratic regimes are leveraging artificial intelligence to challenge open societies. It was launched during a press conference at the Canadian Parliament, covered by The Canadian Press and numerous media outlets, and featured in Les Grands Dossiers de Diplomatie (No. 88).
Read the full report here.
Policy Impact
MIGS submitted recommendations to the House of Commons Finance Committee for creating a Global Impact Fund to better support Canadian think tanks advancing democracy, human rights, and global security.
Leadership Update
MIGS Executive Director Kyle Matthews has been appointed McConnell Professor of Practice at McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy.
June 7: Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk spoke at an event co-organized by MIGS and the Global Institute for the Prevention of Aggression.
June 9: MIGS met with the Asia Pacific Foundation’s Indo-Pacific Young Professionals Network to discuss foreign interference, transnational repression, and Canada’s role in the region.
June 10: Hosted Carl Miller, Chief Strategist at DISARM, for a discussion on AI, civic tech, and foreign influence.
September 12: Presented AI, Drones and the Future of Defense at the Canada–UK Defence Colloquium.
September 29–30: Kyle Matthews spoke at the Couchiching Conference on Cultural Security Under Pressure: Platforms, Policy, and Power.
October 2: Presented MIGS’ AI and Defense report to Germany’s Junge Union (CDU Youth Wing).
October 4: Participated in Canada’s Cross-Cultural Roundtable on Security.
October 6: Met with experts through the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Outlook Initiative to discuss maritime security, cybersecurity, and digital governance.
October 8–9: MIGS Global Security Officer Jack Rath attended the Montreal Climate Security Summit, hosted by NATO’s Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence. MIGS’s Global Affairs Director Marie Lamensch gave a guest lecture on cyberwarfare at Carleton University.
October 10: Met with participants from the Heinrich Böll Stiftung’s Grow the Future 2025 initiative to discuss digital authoritarianism and threats to democratic discourse.
Montreal International Security Summit — October 15–16
Our flagship annual summit brought together global leaders, policymakers, innovators, and human rights defenders from Canada, Europe, Asia, and the U.S. This year’s theme — Authoritarian Resurgence: The Fight for Democracy and Global Security — underscored MIGS’ mission to defend democratic values in an era of growing threats.
Watch the recordings: Day 1 | Day 2
Photos are available here.
October 16: In partnership with the EU Institute for Security Studies, MIGS hosted a closed-door side session at McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy on strengthening EU–Canada collaboration to counter foreign interference.
October 22: Welcomed EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath in Montreal for a discussion on defending democracy.
October 28: Attended the opening of the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism Digital Transnational Repression Detection Academy, hosted by Global Affairs Canada.
MIGS released four new episodes featuring Andrew Leslie, Charles “Duff” Sullivan, Karsten Friis, Stephen R. Nagy, Nanae Baldauff, and Alicia Hennig. Listen here.
“The Hidden Threat of Transnational Repression in Canada” – Marie Lamensch, CORIM, June 2.
“Fighting Fragmentation: Canada’s Strategic Role at the G7” — Kyle Matthews, Policy Magazine, June 15
Quoted in: “Carney Seeks to Reshape Canada’s Role in NATO” — Canadian Affairs, June 23
Canada Needs to Ramp Up Its Defence Engagement in Asia” — Richard Shimooka & Jonathan Berkshire Miller, August 28
“Can Canada Build a Smarter Military? Ukraine’s Innovation Shows the Way” — Marie Lamensch, CIGI, September 2
“More Than Money: America’s UN Retreat Is Costing Lives” — Kyle Matthews, Policy Magazine, September 18
CTV News (October 20): Kyle Matthews on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
New AI-Generated Information Weapons Pose Problems” — Marie Lamensch, CORIM, October 27
