TP 15627 – Canada’s Maritime Security Strategic Framework

On this page

• Introduction
• The maritime sector in Canada
• Threats to Canadians and Canada’s Maritime domain
• Elements of Canada’s maritime security
  • Roles and responsibilities for maritime security
  • Federal government partners and interdepartmental governance
  • Coordinating maritime security policy
  • Canada’s national security policy
  • Contributing to maritime security outcomes
• Coordination of Canada’s maritime security efforts
  • Canada’s maritime security strategic outcomes
  • Five pillars to Canada’s maritime security
  • Supporting enablers
• Implementation strategies
  • The maritime domain awareness strategy
  • The maritime security safeguarding and responsiveness strategy
  • The maritime security resilience and recovery strategy
  • The maritime security research and innovation strategy
  • The Arctic and northern maritime security strategy
• Conclusion
• Annex – acronyms

Introduction

Canada is a maritime nation with one of the world's longest coastlines, relying on the secure use of the oceans for national security and economic prosperity.

Both domestic and international maritime threats have the potential to disrupt Canada’s maritime transportation system, compromise national security, and undermine the country’s economic interests.

Canada’s original Maritime Security Strategic Framework (MSSF or the Framework) was produced by the Interdepartmental Marine Security Working Group (IMSWG) in 2011. It provided a comprehensive, whole-of- government policy framework for maritime security.

This updated Framework, like its precursor, continues to recognize the importance of the maritime domain to Canada and Canadians as well as to Indigenous peoples in Canada while also recognizing the evolving and emerging threats at home and abroad. Maritime domain refers to all areas and things of, on, under, relating to, adjacent to, or bordering on the sea, ocean, or other navigable waterway, including all maritime-related activities, infrastructure, people, cargo, and vessels and other conveyances. This definition is based on language used by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations special agency with responsibility for safety and security of shipping; other international partners of Canada, such as the United States (U.S.), also use this definition.

The Framework reflects the Government of Canada’s commitment to broader national priorities, including supply chain resilience and sustainable development. As global trade and maritime transportation change, securing and sustaining Canada's supply chains is essential to protecting national security and economic prosperity. A resilient maritime system safeguards critical infrastructure and supply routes and ensures the sustainable management of Canada’s vast maritime resources.

In alignment with the Government of Canada’s policies on economic resilience, climate change, and reconciliation, this Framework integrates measures to safeguard the maritime supply chain against a range of threats, including natural disasters, cyberattacks, and geopolitical risks. It promotes sustainable practices that support long- term economic growth while minimizing environmental impacts, in line with Canada’s commitment to a green, sustainable future and the recognition of Indigenous environmental justice.

Supply chain resilience and sustainability are central to the Framework’s strategic outcomes, ensuring Canada remains a secure and reliable global trade partner while advancing the sustainable development of the maritime domain.

The Framework has 4 strategic outcomes:

Outcome 1: Safeguard Canada’s maritime domain (all areas and things of, on, under, related to, next to, or bordering on the sea, ocean, or other navigable waterway) through the continuous identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities and risks.

Outcome 2: Secure Canada’s critical maritime assets and infrastructure from emerging threats and disruptions to protect our citizens, environment, and economy.

Outcome 3: Take rapid, coordinated responses to threats to restore disrupted maritime services, infrastructure, and port operations.

Outcome 4: Support maritime security research and innovation to enhance Canada’s security posture and adapt to emerging challenges.

5 supporting strategies guide the achievement of these outcomes:

• Maritime Domain Awareness
• Maritime Security Safeguarding and Responsiveness
• Maritime Security Resilience and Recovery
• Maritime Security Research and Innovation
• Arctic and Northern Maritime Security

In addition, the Framework has identified 5 pillars to help departments and agencies prioritise  work and direct resources and 3 enablers to help assist federal partners work together in an efficient, effective, and timely manner.

No one government department or agency can achieve maritime security alone. The Framework emphasizes the need for interdepartmental and interagency collaboration, leveraging existing capabilities and ongoing efforts. It encourages a coordinated approach to maximize the effective use of available resources. This includes collaboration with Indigenous partners at the federal level through established relationships with IMSWG member departments and agencies.

Other entities, including provincial and territorial authorities and those within maritime-related industries, also contribute significantly to Canada's maritime security. Recognizing and coordinating their contributions, especially in partnership with Indigenous communities, is essential for a holistic approach but extends beyond the scope of this Framework. The federal departments and agencies that form the foundation of Canada’s national security posture collectively hold a comprehensive mandate to address maritime security threats from a three-ocean perspective. This integrated capability serves as the cornerstone of the Government of Canada’s national maritime security framework.

Nothing in this Framework or supporting strategies seeks to modify existing legal or regulatory authorities or departmental roles or responsibilities. Rather, the Framework aims to provide a foundation for collaboration and coordination among federal departments and agencies, including engagement with Indigenous communities at the federal level.

The maritime sector in Canada

With 3 oceans and extensive coastline, Canada is a maritime nation with a vast maritime domain. The ocean estate, for which Canada is responsible, covers a surface area of approximately 7.1 million square kilometres, much of which consists of remote, fragile, and often unforgiving environments. In addition, Canada shares with the U.S. responsibility for the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway (GLSLS), the world’s longest deep-draft inland waterway, which spans over 3,700 kilometres and includes more than 50 ports.

Canada’s maritime domain includes extensive coastlines and a complex maritime system that includes vessels, ports, harbours, and other maritime facilities. This system is critical to Canada’s economy, which relies heavily on international maritime commerce. The country boasts over 300 commercial ports and harbors, with Vancouver, Montreal, and Halifax serving as key intermodal hubs in the global maritime system. Seventeen major ports are designated as Canada Port Authorities under Canada’s National Marine Policy, collectively handling approximately $140 billion worth of goods annually.

Canada is one of the world’s largest coastal states. It is also one of the richest in terms of the natural resources found in these waters.

• 70%: Canada’s home waters make up 70% of the size of the country.
• 200k kilometres: Canada’s maritime system includes some 200,000 km of coastline across 3 oceans.
• 200 nautical miles:  Canada’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extends 200 nautical miles out from the coastline.
• 3.7k kilometres: The maritime system stretches 3,700 kilometres into the heart of the continent via the GLSLS. 

This vital sector also supports over 250,000 direct and indirect jobs and generates more than $20 billion in economic activity. Moreover, the continuous flow of legitimate goods and people across oceans and waterways is integral to globalization, which underpins Canada’s economic security and prosperity. As Canada’s trading relationships diversify and expand, the maritime domain plays an increasingly important role in both global and domestic supply chains. The secure and efficient movement of goods across oceans and inland waterways is crucial to Canada’s economic resilience and its reputation as a reliable trading partner.

However, disruptions to maritime commerce—whether due to security breaches, environmental factors, or infrastructure failures—can have far-reaching impacts on Canada’s economy, public safety, and international standing. Given the interconnected nature of global trade, safeguarding the supply chain is a cornerstone of Canada’s broader maritime security framework. Ensuring the sustainability and security of this supply chain requires a whole-of-government approach that integrates resilience strategies, as outlined later in this document. This approach addresses vulnerabilities in the maritime transportation system, builds redundancy into logistics and infrastructure, and ensures rapid recovery from disruptions.

Maritime commerce depends upon lawful and unimpeded access to the high seas, a universal principle enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This principle provides support to the maintenance of a secure global maritime supply chain.

Canada’s maritime domain extends beyond inland waters and territorial seas to include the EEZ and Continental Shelf. The EEZ is defined under the UNCLOS as being 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) out from the coastline. This domain encompasses not only the surface waters but also the resources on and below the seabed.

Canada collaborates with other maritime nations and international organizations to establish and uphold conventions and treaties governing the oceans, their resources, and the activities that occur on or under the water. Additionally, Canada works with like-minded international partners to address security threats posed by non-state actors, further reinforcing Canada’s commitment to global maritime security.

Threats to Canadians and Canada’s maritime domain

To maintain resilient maritime security in the face of evolving challenges, Canada must continuously adapt its activities to address both current and emerging threats, such as:

Espionage, foreign influence, and interference

As a leader in many maritime economic and scientific fields, Canada is an attractive target for espionage, intellectual property theft, intangible technology transfer, and exploitation through foreign direct investment. Hostile foreign states are increasingly motivated to engage in the unlawful acquisition of Canada’s military, political, economic, and scientific information or assets relating to the maritime environment. Foreign influence and interference threats are ever present and span all 5 domains (land, sea, air, space, and cyber). Disruption to Canadian maritime infrastructure could have significant and far-reaching impacts on the economy of North America 

Mitigating threats to maritime and national security and achieving the maritime security outcomes outlined above requires close coordination of regional, national, and international activity across the maritime domain. It also requires flexible response options that are proportionate, and both cost and operationally effective, striking the appropriate balance between facilitating legitimate movement, and monitoring activities of concern. Preventing violent extremism requires not just enforcement but also grassroots efforts in education, training, and the funding of innovative programs to counter radicalization.

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing

The protection of fisheries and marine resources is vital to the economy and geopolitical stability of Canada and other nations. IUU fishing can weaken fragile coastal states, increase tensions among foreign-fishing nations, and threaten global geopolitical stability. Recognizing that distant problems can directly impact Canada, a global effort is necessary to combat the illegal exploitation of ocean fish stocks and protect national interests.

Supply chain security

The global maritime supply chain is increasingly vulnerable to disruptions from a variety of security threats, including cyberattacks, natural disasters, and geopolitical tensions. Given the importance of shipping and port infrastructure in maintaining the flow of goods, any disruption poses significant risks to national security and economic stability. Key threats to supply chain security include:

• Cyberattacks on port infrastructure and shipping systems, which could disrupt the movement of goods, delay shipments, or compromise sensitive data.
• Blockades and embargoes, where geopolitical conflicts or actions targeting key maritime chokepoints could restrict access to vital shipping routes.
• Environmental threats and natural disasters or accidents at sea can disrupt maritime transportation and create bottlenecks in the global supply chain.

Addressing these threats is integral to Canada’s maritime security strategy, as supply chain disruptions can have cascading effects on national security, critical infrastructure, and economic resilience. Strengthening resilience and recovery strategies, as outlined later, is key to mitigating these risks and ensuring the continued security of Canada’s maritime supply chain.

Organized crime

Transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), operating without regard for borders, increasingly exploit maritime ports. The illicit drug trade, involving methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, among others, represents one of the most lucrative markets for TCOs, and this threat is expected to grow due to rising demand. Globally, acts of piracy remain a concern, threatening Canadian and allied interests at sea. Domestically, criminal organizations continue to evolve their methods to infiltrate and exploit access to Canada’s maritime ports, using internal conspiracies and sophisticated smuggling tactics. Mitigating these risks is challenging due to limited external security controls and reliance on third-party service providers.

Human smuggling and irregular migration 

Human smuggling, human trafficking, and irregular maritime-based migration continues to pose potential national security and terrorism-related threats to Canada and its allies. Conflicts in unstable regions often drive asylum seekers to safer countries, and organized crime or terrorist groups may exploit their desperation. Securing Canada's borders requires a layered approach to prevent, detect, and disrupt threats using the resources and partnerships at our disposal. An integrated model of maritime security means Canada can deploy our border enforcement resources to the highest risk regions and between ports of entry to maximize results.

Cyber and radiofrequency (RF)/ electromagnetic (EM) threats

Cyber threats continue to proliferate, ranging from opportunistic criminals motivated by financial gain to sophisticated state and state-backed actors targeting defence, intelligence, scientific, industrial, commercial, and critical infrastructure targets. The maritime domain is not immune, and as recent attacks against shipping and port infrastructure have illustrated, it has become even more vulnerable as vessel and industrial control and support systems become increasingly digitized and networked.

A separate but related threat exists in the electromagnetic spectrum in the form of jamming against navigational and communications systems (for military, terrorism, or commercial purposes). These threats will become more significant as the maritime environment continues to be integrated and interconnected via the Internet.

Violent extremism/terrorism

Domestic terrorism and foreign-based terrorist organizations, which pose threats to Canada, may have maritime capabilities, and could conduct maritime-based operations. Terrorism-related risks in the maritime environment include:

• ideologically motivated violent extremism,
• the movement of terrorism-affiliated individuals into Canada, and
• criminal activities to fund future terrorist operations.

The principal terrorist threat to Canada and Canadian interests continues to be that posed by individuals or groups who are inspired by violent ideologies, terrorist groups, and others that may have malign intent.

In addition to these conventional threats, there are new and emerging non-traditional risks, such as health security (e.g., pandemics), environmental concerns (e.g., climate change), and technological advances (e.g., automation and virtual operations). These have the potential to impact Canada’s maritime domain and contribute to an evolving maritime security environment.

Elements of Canada’s maritime security

In April 2015, the Group of Seven (G7) Foreign Ministers issued a Declaration on Maritime Security. It stated that the maritime domain is a cornerstone of the livelihood of humanity, habitat, resources, and transport routes. As the world’s population grows, our reliance on the oceans as a highway for commerce and a source of food and resources will only increase.

In today’s globalized world, merchant shipping is less tied to national flags than it once was, yet the importance of a smoothly functioning global maritime trading system has grown for every country. No single nation can safeguard the integrity of this system alone. Canada, as a maritime nation, has a strong interest in protecting it, and doing so in cooperation with like-minded nations is essential to maintaining global maritime security.

For any coastal state, maritime security is of the utmost importance and can be described as the freedom from threat to national interests in, on, over and concerning the sea. Threats to maritime security can arise from both state and non-state actors, impacting both national and human security. State-related maritime security concerns might include territorial disputes, geopolitical rivalries, and naval blockades, all of which affect both national and human security. Non-state actors, such as organized crime groups, also pose significant threats, particularly to human security.

Other examples of maritime security threats include hostile intelligence activity, maritime terrorism, cyber and biological threats, piracy, IUU fishing, arms, drugs, and human trafficking, smuggling by sea, and deliberate environmental damage, to name just a few.

These diverse threats highlight the complexity of maritime security and underscore the need for a comprehensive, collaborative approach to safeguarding Canada’s national and human security in the maritime domain.

Roles and responsibilities for maritime security

In Canada, no single agency is responsible for maritime security. Canada’s response to maritime threats is built upon the foundation of a cohesive whole-of-government approach that draws together and utilizes the full range of national capabilities. In this approach there are multiple federal departments and agencies contributing to the overall security of Canada’s maritime domain.

National security in Canada is a collaborative effort led by Public Safety Canada (PS). It entails the protection of Canada and Canadians’ security, safety, and prosperity.

The IMSWG led by Transport Canada (TC) with partner departments and agencies – having varying roles and responsibilities within the national security community – have complementary goals that are illustrated through the Framework.       

Federal government partners and interdepartmental governance

Listed are the departments and agencies that are members of the IMSWG and contribute to Canada’s maritime security, including a description of their role in maritime security based on their mandate:

Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)

The overarching goal of the DFO is to protect Canada’s oceans, coasts, waterways, and fisheries, and to ensure these remain healthy for future generations. The Department encompasses 2 distinct organizations within its departmental mandate, both of which play a role in maritime security:

• The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG)
• The Conservation and Protection (C&P) Program

CCG’s primary responsibilities under the Oceans Act relate to safety, including responsibility for the marine component of the federal Search-and-Rescue (SAR) program, vessel communications, traffic management services, navigation, icebreaking, and environmental response. However, the Act’s mandate for CCG to support other government departments and agencies with their vessels, aircraft, and marine services makes CCG a critical Canadian maritime security partner. For example, CCG supports maritime security by providing mobility to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) under the joint Marine Security Enforcement Teams (MSET) program. CCG also contributes significantly to Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) by sharing data to partners in the Maritime Security Operations Centres (MSOCs) and leverages its expertise to assist in analyzing and detecting potential threats.

C&P supports the enforcement and regulation of the fisheries in Canada. It collects information on maritime activities which contribute significantly to MDA and, by extension, maritime security. CCG also supports C&P by providing mobility for its enforcement program.

Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF)

The mandate of the DND is defined in the National Defence Act (NDA), which gives authority to the Minister of National Defence for the direction of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and all matters relating to national defence. DND/CAF’s 2017^{Footnote 1} defence policy, identifies a vision where Canada is:

• Strong at Home: with a military ready and able to defend its sovereignty, and to assist in times of natural disaster, support search and rescue, or respond to other emergencies upon request.
• Secure in North America: active in a renewed defence partnership with the U.S. to defend our shared continent in all domains, including to monitor and defend continental airspace and provide maritime warning through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
• Engaged in the World: with the CAF doing its part in Canada’s contributions to a more stable, peaceful world, through peace support operations and peacekeeping.

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) protects Canadian sovereignty and interests at sea, at home, and abroad. Whether during times of conflict or peace, the RCN promotes global stability, enforces international law, and helps protect both the Canadian and world economies. More specific to maritime security, the RCN is the lead for the DND contribution to the MSOCs. CAF and DND make up national defence.

Global Affairs Canada (GAC)

GAC is responsible for conducting foreign policy and managing diplomatic relations, which may involve and impact maritime security. Further, GAC provides reporting and develops policy options on a range of international security issues that may have linkages to maritime security.

Specifically relating to maritime issues, GAC leads in coordinating Marine Science Requests for foreign vessels, which intend to enter and operate in Canadian territory/waters, and any response where Canadians or Canadian interests are at risk in international waters or territories. GAC, in consultation with partner departments, also provides clearance for foreign military ships entry and operation in Canadian territory/waters.

Privy Council Office (PCO)

The PCO enables coherent and consistent government-wide implementation of Cabinet decisions, by setting overall policy direction and managing specific policy challenges facing the Government, among other responsibilities. This enables the government of the day to deliver on its priorities to the benefit of all Canadians.

The Security and Intelligence Secretariat, the Intelligence Assessment Secretariat, and the Foreign and Defence Policy Secretariat are part of the PCO and serve an important role in the coordination of strategic decision making on national security matters, which may include maritime security concerns.

Public Safety Canada (PS)

PS coordinates the activities of federal departments and agencies tasked with protecting Canadians and their communities, businesses, and interests. PS is also responsible for developing policies and providing advice to the Minister of Public Safety and the Minister of Emergency Preparedness. PS’s Government Operations Centre leads and supports response coordination of events affecting national interests.

The Minister of Public Safety is also responsible for:

• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
• Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

The roles and responsibilities of these agencies are described below:

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

As a partner agency within the PS portfolio, the CBSA ensures the security and prosperity of Canadians by overseeing the access of people and goods to and from Canada. The agency is responsible for providing integrated border services that support national security, public safety, trade, and tourism, while facilitating the free flow of legitimate people and goods and ensuring compliance standards are adhered to.

The CBSA coordinates closely with the RCMP, which is responsible for border security between Canadian Ports of Entry (POEs). The CBSA and RCMP also work closely in the investigation of serious criminality as it relates to cross-border traffic, including at major marine ports.

The agency works cooperatively with other nations to conduct pre-arrival verification of goods and people destined for Canada in order to make sure they can be admitted under Canadian law. Strong partnerships with police and intelligence agencies around the world against organized criminal syndicates, terrorism, war crimes, drugs and weapons smuggling, human trafficking, and other trans-border crime.

Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)

CSIS is Canada’s security and intelligence service. Its role is to gather information in relation to activities suspected of constituting threats to the security of Canada and to report these to the Government of Canada. CSIS may also take measures to reduce threats to the security of Canada in accordance with well-defined legal requirements and Ministerial direction from the Minister of Public Safety.

CSIS collects and analyzes threat-related information, which is typically disseminated to government partners through intelligence reports and other intelligence products. Key threats include terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, espionage, foreign interference, and cyber-tampering affecting critical infrastructure.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

The RCMP is Canada’s national police service, with national, federal, provincial, and municipal policing mandates, which is carried out in every province and territory in Canada.

The RCMP’s Federal Policing Strategic Plan (2020-2023) highlights three overarching priorities within its core mandate:

• National Security
• Transnational and Serious Organized Crime (TSOC)
• Cyber Crime

TSOC focuses on criminal activities that cross international and/or provincial borders. Within the TSOC priority, the Border Integrity Program contributes to maintaining Canada’s safety and security at the border in all domains – land, maritime, and air – at and between the official POEs (including maritime ports and airports) as well as the Arctic.

The RCMP’s contribution to maritime security is the enforcement of laws that aim to mitigate and/or deter the most serious organized crime groups from exploiting Canada’s seaports, coastlines, waterways, and marine borders as a conduit for criminal activities. The RCMP also contributes to global maritime security through close partnerships and collaboration with the U.S. and other international policing organizations to protect the integrity of maritime borders.

The broad Federal Policing mandate is to:

• Enforce laws, secure Canada’s borders, collect and operationalize criminal intelligence and ensure the safety of critical infrastructure;
• Investigate criminality related to national security, serious and organized crime and financial crime, and cybercrime;
• Investigate other serious and complex crimes under the Criminal Code; and
• Ensure the safety of Internationally Protected Persons and other designated persons, significant national or international events, and designated protected site. 

Transport Canada (TC)

TC is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the Canadian marine transportation system. TC’s Marine Security is responsible for the following: 

• developing policies, legislation, and regulations related to marine transportation security;
• ensuring industry compliance with the Marine Transportation Security Act and associated regulations through departmental oversight;
• developing training and education, as well as raising awareness on security practices; and
• ensuring the horizontal coordination for federal government maritime security policies and regulatory activity.

TC also develops situational awareness, ensures regulatory compliance, as noted, and provides decision makers with relevant, accurate, and timely information in the enforcement of maritime transportation security.

TC is positioned to coordinate maritime security policy – both domestically and with like-minded international partners. TC chairs the IMSWG, which is designed to coordinate federal responses to maritime security policy issues.

Coordinating maritime security policy 

The IMSWG, acting within the scope of the maritime security responsibilities and programs of its member departments and agencies, is a forum for identifying and coordinating federal government actions in support of the Government of Canada’s obligations and objectives concerning domestic, continental, and international security in the maritime realm.

The IMSWG is chaired by TC with the working group comprised of federal departments and agencies with appropriate responsibilities associated with marine security. Since its creation, the IMSWG has provided guidance through the development of strategic policies for maritime security in Canada and facilitated interdepartmental and multi-agency state-to-state awareness and collaboration on maritime security issues. The IMSWG Chair reports to the Assistant Deputy Minister Marine Security Committee.

Canada’s national security policy

Canada employs an integrated, horizontal, whole-of-government approach to security issues, while ensuring the protection of individual rights to life, liberty, and security as outlined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This approach underscores the critical link between national security, national interests, and the core values of Canadian society. Maritime security is essential, given the scale and complexity of Canada’s 3 ocean approaches and the GLSLS.

Securing an Open Society: Canada’s National Security Policy is a strategic framework and action plan designed to ensure that Canada is prepared for and can respond to current and future threats. It focuses on national events and situations that exceed the capacity of individuals, communities, or provinces and territories to handle alone. One of the policy’s 6 key strategic areas is transportation security, which includes the clarification and strengthening of accountability for marine security across federal departments and agencies.

Under this policy, the Minister of Transport holds primary responsibility for coordinating marine security policy and regulation, ensuring cohesive governance and accountability across Canada's maritime security framework.

Contributing to maritime security outcomes

The following Government of Canada initiatives show the activities and work undertaken by federal departments and agencies in support of maritime security, and which contribute to the outcomes identified in this Framework:

The Federal Emergency Response Plan (FERP) is Canada’s “all-hazards” response plan delineating specific roles and responsibilities to participating government organizations in response to an emergency or crisis.

The Maritime Event Response Protocol (MERP), a coordination protocol, provides specific strategic guidance for a whole-of-government response to any significant maritime event that transcends the mandate and/or potentially exceeds the capability of any given government organization. Both the FERP and MERP emphasize the integrated, whole-of-government approach required to address security threats to Canada. Each provides enhanced pre-planned direction in response to significant threats to maritime security.

The Small Vessel and Facility Security Strategy, as well as an Advance Commercial Information Program and Radiation Detection Initiative have helped mitigate gaps in waterside security (this refers to measures and strategies designed to protect maritime facilities, vessels, ports, and critical infrastructure from unauthorized access, threats, and attacks originating from the water) and address enforcement capacity issues. Border security on Canada’s waterways is further strengthened by frontline partnership-based programs such as the MSET and Integrated Cross-border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations (Shiprider). However, additional mitigation efforts are required to address evolving and new threats and gaps.

The Marine Transportation Security Clearance Program (MTSCP) introduced background checks for workers at marine facilities and ports, aimed at reducing security risks. By vetting marine workers who perform sensitive duties or access restricted areas, the MTSCP enhances the security of the marine transportation system. This program benefits the public, passengers, marine workers, as well as the operators of vessels, ports, and marine facilities.

The Canada-U.S. Integrated Cargo Security Strategy (ICSS) also plays a significant role in maritime security. The ICSS facilitates the secure movement of cargo between Canada and the U.S. under the principle of "cleared once, accepted twice." It aims to identify and address security concerns early in the supply chain, reducing redundant processes at the Canada-U.S. border and enhancing the overall efficiency of cargo security operations. It outlines how Canada and the U.S. will work together offshore and at the perimeter.

Coordination of Canada’s maritime security efforts

Canada’s maritime security strategic outcomes

The Maritime Security Strategic Framework outlines 4 key outcomes aimed at identifying and mitigating risks and vulnerabilities to Canadians, while securing Canada’s maritime domain and protecting national interests. These outcomes guide federal partners in aligning their actions with the 5 supporting strategies:

• Maritime Domain Awareness
• Maritime Security Safeguarding and Responsiveness
• Maritime Security Resilience and Recovery
• Maritime Security Research and Innovation
• Arctic and Northern Maritime Security

This integrated approach ensures the consistent application of resources to achieve Canada’s long-term security goals.

Outcome 1: Safeguarding Canada’s maritime domain and maintaining situational awareness 

This outcome focuses on the continuous identification, assessment, and mitigation of maritime risks and vulnerabilities. It ensures that Canada’s federal partners are equipped to maintain situational awareness, detect, monitor, and analyze activities within the maritime domain. Achieving this involves conducting gap analyses, improving MDA capabilities, and ensuring the effective use of safeguarding and responsiveness strategies to address security, enforcement, and monitoring gaps. The "Understand" and "Influence" pillars, described below, along with the MDA and Safeguarding and Responsiveness strategies, provide the operational foundation for this outcome.

Outcome 2: Securing Canada’s critical maritime assets and infrastructure from emergent threats and disruptions.

This outcome ensures that Canada’s maritime systems—including ports, vessels, offshore installations, underwater pipelines, and other critical infrastructure—are resilient to both physical and cyber threats, safeguarding national security and economic resilience. Protecting Canada’s citizens, environment, and economy involves enhancing the security of territorial waters, inland waterways, and vessel traffic through improved regulations, security standards, education, and outreach programs. These efforts address a range of threats, including transnational organized crime, terrorism, hostile state activities (such as espionage and research), and cyberattacks, whether within Canadian waters or in close proximity to critical infrastructure and ports.

The "Mitigate" and "Protect" pillars discussed below are essential to achieving this outcome, supported by the Resilience and Recovery strategy. This comprehensive approach should:

• ensure that Canada’s maritime infrastructure remains secure and capable of withstanding emergent threats and disruptions;
• maintain the integrity of maritime operations; and
• protect national interests.

Outcome 3: Rapid, coordinated responses to maritime security threats and recovery of disrupted maritime services, infrastructure, and port operations.

This outcome ensures that Canada’s federal partners are prepared to respond quickly and effectively to maritime security threats, enabling the rapid recovery and continuity of disrupted maritime services, infrastructure, and port operations. It emphasizes 2 key elements:

• the coordination of federal actions in response to threats, and
• the establishment of processes to restore disrupted marine transportation systems.

Preparedness and coordination among federal partners are critical to achieving this outcome, with the "Prepare" and "Respond" pillars playing a central role. This outcome is further supported by the Arctic and Northern Maritime Security and the Safeguarding and Responsiveness strategies, ensuring that Canada can effectively mitigate the impact of maritime incidents and maintain operational resilience.

Outcome 4: Research and innovation in maritime security are leveraged to enhance Canada’s security posture and adapt to emerging challenges.

This outcome emphasizes the role of technological advancements and innovative approaches in enhancing Canada's ability to counter both known and emerging maritime threats. The “Understand” and “Influence” pillars will drive this outcome, aligned with the Maritime Security Research and Innovation strategy.

Five pillars to Canada’s maritime security

To achieve these outcomes and address threats, 5 pillars or tasks inform how federal maritime security partners may prioritize operational activities and direct resources (people, networked systems, and tools), in line with their respective mandates.

Understand

The “Understand” pillar emphasizes the critical importance of detecting and monitoring maritime activity, coordinating and assessing information, and analyzing intelligence to provide a nationally focused MDA. This pillar informs decision-making on evolving trends, emerging capability gaps, and new capabilities. The efficient use of Government of Canada resources relies on the awareness gathered domestically and through international partnerships. Fused and analyzed maritime domain information supports long-term intelligence-driven decision-making, shaping strategic and operational planning and future investment decisions.

Influence

Canada's maritime security approach is built on strong domestic, bilateral, and multilateral partnerships, such as the Five Eyes Network. Maritime security agencies engage with various stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the maritime domain. This pillar also outlines Canada's efforts to strengthen and enforce international rules, such as through participation in the IMO and the UNCLOS, and capacity-building initiatives that underpin global maritime security. These rules and institutions extend the reach and effectiveness of Canada's maritime actions on a global scale.

Mitigate

This pillar focuses on ensuring Canada has the necessary people, processes, policies, systems, and laws in place to mitigate maritime security threats, risks, and vulnerabilities. Prevention is part of the approach to mitigating these threats, risks, and vulnerabilities. Prevention activities include addressing root causes, enhancing interdepartmental cooperation and coordination through joint exercises and intelligence-sharing, and deterring threats through visible and sustained maritime surface and aerial patrols, along with inshore customs and police efforts.

Protect

The “Protect” pillar involves strengthening the physical and electronic resilience of Canada’s critical maritime systems, ports, and vessels to prevent harm. This includes adhering to regulations, implementing security standards, and promoting education and outreach. These measures ensure that maritime infrastructure is resilient against both physical and non-physical threats, such as cyberattacks.

Prepare and respond 

This pillar reflects the need for agencies to be equipped to mitigate and respond to threats, incidents, and emerging issues efficiently, effectively, and flexibly. Agencies require robust tools designed to withstand the demands of the maritime environment and to support the collection of evidence admissible in court.

Preparedness also requires a balanced approach, combining diplomatic, legal, and regulatory measures across diverse maritime zones (foreign territorial waters, international waters, and Canada’s territorial and inland waters). Agencies must have sufficient authority to act, supported by domestic and international maritime security laws, agreements, and partnerships. These partnerships enable early threat disruption, extending Canada’s ability to respond to maritime risks far beyond its shores.

To ensure comprehensive and coordinated maritime security efforts across all federal departments and agencies, a series of cross-cutting priority outcomes have been established. These outcomes emphasize the importance of a flexible, coordinated approach that enhances federal partners' ability to respond to evolving threats, risks, and vulnerabilities in the maritime domain. They serve as overarching goals, linking the 5 pillars to supporting strategies and strategic outcomes, ensuring the consistent and effective use of resources and efforts.

Supporting enablers

At the heart of Canada’s approach to maritime security are 3 key enablers: integration, collaboration, and coordination. These elements ensure that federal partners work together efficiently, effectively, and in a timely manner to protect Canadians and Canadian interests.

Integration

Federal government partners operate with a shared unity of purpose, aligning their efforts to achieve common maritime security goals.

Collaboration

By maintaining mutual awareness of each other’s missions and actions, federal partners work together to pursue mutually agreed-upon objectives.

Coordination 

Federal partners operate within a common plan, ensuring that their actions are aligned to achieve the shared mission or task.

Implementation strategies

The MSSF is realized through 5 supporting strategies that are interconnected and mutually supportive. These strategies are:

• Maritime Domain Awareness Strategy
• Maritime Security Safeguarding and Responsiveness Strategy
• Maritime Security Resilience and Recovery Strategy
• Maritime Security Research and Innovation Strategy
• Arctic and Northern Maritime Security Strategy

The strategies will outline objectives with specific outcomes and deliverables within the five pillars:

• Understand
• Influence
• Mitigate
• Protect
• Prepare and Respond

The Framework’s strategic outcomes are best achieved through the collaborative and coordinated efforts of partners. IMSWG partner departments and agencies are encouraged to align these strategies with their respective policies and plans 

Development of these strategies will be based upon the Framework and achievement of its strategic outcomes.

To ensure continued relevance and effectiveness, the Framework and its supporting strategies will be periodically reviewed and updated to reflect shifts in the global and domestic maritime threat landscape, changes in national security priorities, and advancements in technological innovations. This outcome-based approach provides the flexibility to adjust strategies as needed, ensuring that Canada’s maritime security remains resilient and responsive to emerging challenges.

By focusing on long-term strategic outcomes, this Framework provides a stable foundation for maritime security while allowing adaptability in the methods and resources employed. The supporting strategies will be refined as needed, informed by regular assessments of maritime risks, operational capabilities, and advancements in research and innovation. This approach ensures that Canada’s maritime security framework remains agile, future-oriented, and capable of addressing evolving security needs.

The maritime domain awareness strategy

The Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Strategy envisions a secure maritime domain achieved by delivering timely and relevant information for effective decision-making. This strategy supports the overarching goal of ensuring the security, safety, and prosperity of Canada, Canadians, and Canadian interests, while also contributing to global maritime domain awareness.

The MDA Strategy identifies five strategic objectives supporting the achievement of the Framework’s goals:

• Governance and MDA Stakeholder Interoperability
• Evolving MDA Capabilities and Addressing Mitigation Challenges
• MDA Collection and Information Sharing
• Generating Awareness of MDA Activities
• Monitoring and Reviewing MDA Performance

The MDA Strategy improves Canada’s capacity to collect, analyze, and disseminate actionable information to decision makers, enabling them to identify, manage, and coordinate responses to current and emerging maritime issues. Evolving threats from increasingly sophisticated criminal organizations, foreign hostile states, pollution, and overfishing/resource exploitation directly and indirectly impact Canada’s economic and national security interests. The strategy is designed to address these challenges by improving information-sharing capabilities and ensuring coordinated responses.

The maritime security safeguarding and responsiveness strategy

The Safeguarding and Responsiveness Strategy provides overarching guidance to ensure Canada’s maritime security activities are coordinated, flexible, and effective in addressing threats to Canada’s maritime domain. Like the MDA Strategy, it serves as a foundational element that supports the implementation of the other MSSF strategies.

This strategy identifies 2 key strategic objectives that support the achievement of the Framework’s goals:

• Effective and efficient use of safeguarding and response capabilities
• Integration of capabilities across agencies and departments

By focusing on these objectives, the strategy ensures that Canada can efficiently mobilize its safeguarding and response assets, enabling a seamless integration of capabilities to address maritime security threats.

The maritime security resilience and recovery strategy

The Resilience and Recovery Strategy outlines the ability to recover from attacks, disruptions, or damage to maritime activities and infrastructure. A well-coordinated resilience and recovery plan is essential for safeguarding Canada’s economic prosperity and ensuring the security of the maritime transportation system and its critical infrastructure. Effective resilience planning helps minimize the impact of security events, ensuring that maritime activities can resume quickly and with minimal disruption.

This strategy emphasizes the importance of coordinated resilience planning to mitigate the effects of full or partial port closures that may result from maritime security incidents. Such closures can have far-reaching consequences on national security, the economy, and societal well-being.

The Resilience and Recovery Strategy identifies 2 strategic objectives that contribute to the achievement of the Framework’s outcomes:

• Enhancing the resilience of the marine transportation system and critical infrastructure to security threats and disruptions.
• Ensuring the rapid recovery of the marine transportation system from national-level disruptions

By focusing on these objectives, the strategy ensures Canada is prepared to both withstand and recover from maritime security events, thereby safeguarding national interests and maintaining the flow of goods and services essential to the country’s security and economic stability.

The maritime security research and innovation strategy

The Maritime Security Research and Innovation Strategy focuses on leveraging new technologies and innovative processes to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and effectiveness of maritime security intelligence, enforcement, and operations.

This strategy supports the other MSSF strategies by conducting research and developing innovative solutions to address challenges, thereby helping to achieve the MSSF’s goals. It serves as a key enabler for advancing maritime security by driving the innovation needed to meet strategic objectives and enhancing the overall security posture.

The strategy identifies 3 key strategic objectives that contribute to the achievement of the Framework’s goals:

• Building a research community through collaboration and knowledge sharing
• Advancing research and technology ranging from basic to applied science
• Enhancing the operational effectiveness of the maritime security community through research-driven solutions

The Arctic and northern maritime security strategy

Aligned with the ANPF’s Safety, Security, and Defence chapter, the primary objective of the Arctic and Northern Maritime Security Strategy is to protect the security of the Arctic and North, northern residents, and Indigenous peoples.

This strategy is region-specific, focusing on the unique security challenges of Canada’s Arctic and northern waters. It draws on the other MSSF strategies to enhance maritime security in the Arctic and North and emphasize the importance of a whole-of-government approach to meet the MSSF outcomes. Integration, coordination, and collaboration across departments and agencies are critical for safeguarding Canada’s northern maritime domain.

The Arctic and Northern Maritime Security Strategy identifies 3 strategic objectives that support the achievement of the Framework’s outcomes:

• Enhancing domestic and international interoperability and information exchange
• Improving situational awareness in Canada’s Arctic and North
• Strengthening domestic and international partnerships to respond to security threats in Arctic and northern waters

This strategy underscores the importance of collective efforts in securing the Arctic and North, ensuring the protection of both Canadian residents and the broader maritime system.

Conclusion

This updated Framework presents new opportunities for interdepartmental coordination, planning, and programming to advance Canada’s comprehensive maritime security. By implementing the supporting strategies, Canada will enhance the protection of its citizens and strengthen maritime security through a whole-of-government approach.

The Framework and its strategies will continue to evolve in response to changing threats and the dynamic nature of Canada's maritime environment to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

While this Framework does not directly include all stakeholders with an interest in maritime security, it creates opportunities for engagement, fostering understanding, and, where appropriate, promoting collaboration to leverage collective outcomes.

Annex – Acronyms

ACGF

Arctic Coast Guard Forum

AIS

Automatic Identification System

CAF

Canadian Armed Forces

CBSA

Canada Border Services Agency

CCG

Canadian Coast Guard

CSIS

Canadian Security Intelligence Service

CSE

Communications Security Establishment

C&P

Conservation and Protection

DFO

Department of Fisheries and Oceans

DND

Department of National Defence

EEZ

Exclusive Economic Zone

FERP

Federal Emergency Response Plan

GAC

Global Affairs Canada

GOC

Government Operations Center

GLSLS

Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway

IUU

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing

ICSS

Integrated Cargo Security Strategy

ITAC

Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre

IMSWG

Interdepartmental Marine Security Working Group

IMO

International Maritime Organization

LRIT

Long Range Identification and Tracking System

MDA

Maritime Domain Awareness

MERP

Maritime Event Response Protocol

MSOC

Marine Security Operations Centre

MTSCP

Marine Transportation Security Clearance Program

NDA

National Defence Act

NSP

National Security Policy

NORAD

North American Aerospace Defense Command

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

PCO

Privy Council Office

PS

Public Safety Canada

RCMP

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

RCN

Royal Canadian Navy

TCO

Transnational criminal organizations

TSOC

Transnational and Serious Organized Crime

TC

Transport Canada

UN

United Nations

UNCLOS

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea