Canadian universities and researchers studying advanced and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, will soon be ineligible for federal grants if they work with foreign institutions that the government says pose a threat to national security. .
The federal government on Tuesday named more than 100 entities from China, Russia and Iran as posing the “highest risk to Canada's national security.” The government says the agencies listed have ties to those countries' militaries and national security agencies.
The federal government also released a list of so-called “sensitive” research areas, including advanced weapons, quantum technology, robotics, aerospace, space and satellite technology, and medical and healthcare technology.
Researchers seeking federal grants to work in these areas must ensure that they do not work with or receive funding from foreign organizations or agencies that Ottawa lists as a threat to national security. You will need to prove that you did not receive it.
The new policy is expected to take effect this spring, but the government said it may immediately take research affiliation into consideration if it determines there is a risk.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns about foreign attackers stealing Canadian research and intellectual property. Just last month, Canada's spy agency chief warned in a speech not to underestimate China's efforts to steal Canadian research and interfere in Canada's internal affairs.
“Canadian-led research is defined by its excellence and collaborative nature, but its openness also makes it a target for foreign influence and puts research and development efforts at potential risk of abuse that undermines national security. “This could increase,” said Innovation Minister François. -Philippe Champagne, Public Safety Minister Dominique Leblanc and Health Minister Mark Holland issued a joint statement on Tuesday.
Canadian Security Intelligence Agency Director David Vigneault spoke during a meeting with representatives of Canada's Five Eyes allies.
Federal officials briefing reporters on the new policy on Tuesday said they did not yet fully understand the scope of the problem.
Officials spoke about the background, not to reveal the origins, but how many Canadian research institutions have collaborated with research institutions in China, Russia and Iran, which are now cited as threats to national security. He said he did not have “accurate” information about this.
“This is a question of level of risk, not necessarily level of activity,” a government official said.
This new policy applies only to grant applications to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), and the Federal Grants Council. Masu. Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
But one of the officials who spoke to reporters said that by listing sensitive research areas and pointing out problematic institutions, Canada could send a message to researchers and provincial governments not to cooperate. I said I wish I could.
The government said the list of agencies was compiled through open and confidential sources and could be updated if new concerns arise.
