By Jim Foston
In the world of intelligence and security, words matter. When the United States publishes a new National Security Strategy (NSS), it is not just a suggestion; it is an instruction manual for how the superpower intends to interact with the world.
I have analyzed the 2025 NSS, and for Canada, the message is clear: We are no longer viewed just as an ally. We are viewed as a security perimeter.
The Return of the “Monroe Doctrine”
In 1823, President James Monroe declared that the Americas were the US sphere of influence. In 2025, the new strategy applies a “Trump Corollary” to this old idea. It explicitly states that “North American Security Integration” is paramount to protecting the US Homeland.
While this sounds like cooperation, in practice, it demands “interoperability.”
What “Interoperability” Really Means
For the Canadian private security sector, “interoperability” is a polite word for “assimilation.”
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Standardization: To bid on cross-border or critical infrastructure contracts, Canadian firms are increasingly pressured to adopt US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) standards.
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The Intelligence Gap: US firms leverage massive intelligence apparatuses that Canadian firms cannot access, creating a two-tiered system where Canadian companies are relegated to “guarding the gate” while US firms “watch the network.”
The “Branch Plant” Security Model
We are seeing the rise of a “Branch Plant” model in Canadian security. Just as we saw with the automotive industry in the 20th century, we are providing the labour (the guards), while the management, the strategy, and the profits flow south.
The Liability Trap
The danger is not just economic; it is legal. When we adopt US security models, we import US risk models. But we operate under Canadian Law and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A protocol designed for a guard in Seattle may be illegal for a guard in Nanaimo.
By failing to develop and enforce a Sovereign Canadian Security Standard, we are walking into a liability minefield.
The Question We Must Ask
As we approach the 2026 World Cup—a colossal security event—we must ask ourselves: Are we the architects of our own security, or are we simply the subcontractors?
It is time to read the fine print.