CANADIAN MARITIME SECURITY NETWORK

An Interdisciplinary Research Network Providing Innovative Solutions Tailored to Canada's Maritime Defence and Security Needs.

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Canadian Seapower 2026 Conference

Over the past several years global maritime competition has accelerated exponentially while Canada’s local challenges have only grown more complex. Traditional norms that governed maritime security have eroded, regional conflicts have thrown global supply chains into flux, and hybrid threats are proliferating. The Navy now faces an operating environment where conflict is no longer a worst-case scenario, but an evolving reality.

The RCN therefore stands at an inflection point. It must undertake a generational recapitalization to become a credible instrument of deterrence, presence, and warfighting. The stakes surrounding this transformation are profound and critical decisions lie ahead on force structure, equipment, recruitment, and operational doctrine.

This conference aims to support this effort by bringing together serving officers, policymakers, and academics to assess the Navy’s readiness for conflict and help it to chart the course ahead.

Recent Publications

Greenland in the Headlines: Analyzing Media Coverage of US-Greenland Relations

August 2026

Zach Zimmermann, Lindsay Speirs, and Brandon Varteresian

With Greenland in the headlines, CMSN and our partners at NAADSN analyse the media response to the American threats.

The Arctic Circle Rome Forum and Emerging Power Transitions

June 2026

Marc Lanteigne

This article examines the recent Arctic Circle Forum in Rome, highlighting the increasing influence of geopolitical competition, climate change, and non-Arctic actors.

A Canadian Naval Strategic Reader

May 2026

Richard Gimblett

As the RCN reviews its strategy the CMSN has published an overview of naval strategy to inform and support the process.

Seapower for the North American Arctic

May 2026

Adam Lajeunesse

This analysis offers a framework for understanding Canada's Arctic maritime security needs and how the country should approach defending the North.

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Naval Shipbuilding: Lessons from Down Under, 2015-2025

April 2026

Elinor Sloan

As Canada recapitalizes its Navy, important lessons can be learned from Australia.

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Why Isn’t the Nuclear Option in Play?

Jonathan Cassels

May 2026

With Canada working to procure a new fleet of submarines this paper examins why the country is replacing the Victoria-class with diesel electric vessels, rather than SSNs.

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Events

Canadian Seapower 2026

October 2026

This fall the Canadian Maritime Security Network and the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies will host the second Canadian Seapower Conference. Join us in Calgary for two days of discussion about maritime security in an age of conflict.

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Canada in Alliance: Maritime Security in a Changing World

April 2026

The Canadian Maritime Security Network is pleased to partner with the NAC to support this conference, which will bring together defence experts, CAF personnel, and policymakers to examine Canada's part in collective security at sea.

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