Terrorism, Counter-Terrorism and National Security Policy

Overview

The profile of national security in general, and threats from terrorism specifically, ebbs and flows over time, even though the risk of attacks from a variety of sources is ever-present. This course looks at the policy implications of the threat posed by terrorism today, and the Government of Canada's counter-terrorism strategies.

Learning Outcomes

• Define terrorism in today's world, and why it matters from a policy perspective.
• Understand how terrorism is distinguished from other forms of asymmetric political violence (insurgencies, guerrilla warfare) and extremism
• Define the paradigm shift in the Government of Canada's national security policies resulting from the 9/11 attacks
• Identify why terrorism should still be a national policy concern
• Describe the Government of Canada's counter-terrorism policies/ strategies past and present
• Identify the current challenges

Audience

• This session is targeted to mid to senior level public sector managers who are not typically exposed to issues related to national security, but who seek a better appreciation and understanding of the issues facing the national security community, and particularly the ongoing threat posed by terrorism in various guises.

Duration

Cost

• $1095 (plus tax)

Featured Instructor

John Gilmour joins the uOttawa PDI team after a thirty-seven year career in the federal government in positions of growing responsibility. His initial professional experience was with Transport Canada and the management of Canada’s major international airports. This included serving as project manager and analyst for airport security programs. This led to a two-year assignment to the Security and Intelligence (Operations) section of the Privy Council office as a senior policy analyst, in support of the office of the National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister (NSA).

From there John joined the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS), where he served in a variety of branches, most recently as the Head-Strategic Planning and Operational Analysis with the Service’s Counter-Terrorism Division.  Although retiring in 2018 from the Service, John continues to be periodically retained as a senior advisor for CSIS.

John has a BA from Carleton University (Ottawa), and a Masters and Ph.D from the War Studies Program of the Royal Military College of Canada (Kingston). He serves on the Advisory Board of the Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies (CASIS) – Vancouver, and is a Fellow with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute (CGAI).

Sessions