Max Bell School of Public Policy - News & Research from Vincent Rigby

Vincent Rigby on the Challenges Ahead for the Canada-EU Defence Pact | Expert Group on Canada-US Relations

91��Ƶ — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:45:02 +0000

June 2025 | Vincent Rigby, alongside other senior experts, co-authored a white paper analyzing the Canada-EU Security and Defence Partnership. While the agreement aims to reduce reliance on U.S. defence suppliers and expand access to the European market, the report warns that its success is far from guaranteed. Rigby and his co-authors highlight major fiscal and political barriers, including Canada’s underinvestment in defence, EU divisions over spending targets, and implementation hurdles in aligning procurement and supply chains.

Vincent Rigby on the Risks and Realities of Canada’s New EU Defence Pact | The Globe and Mail

91��Ƶ — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:40:00 +0000

July 9, 2025 | Vincent Rigby, along with retired vice-admiral Mark Norman, former deputy trade minister Tim Sargent, former defence minister Perrin Beatty, and professor Fen Hampson, wrote a report highlighted in The Globe and Mail that raises concerns about Canada’s new Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union. The pact, signed by Prime Minister Mark Carney, aims to reduce Canada’s reliance on U.S. military contractors and boost the Canadian defence industry by tapping into the EU’s growing defence market.

Vincent Rigby on NATO, Canada’s 2% Commitment, and Alliance Readiness | CDA Institute

91��Ƶ — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:48:51 +0000

June 23, 2025 | Vincent Rigby joined the CDA Institute’s Expert Series alongside former Canadian Ambassador to NATO Kerry Buck and former NATO Assistant Secretary General Wendy Gilmour to unpack what’s at stake as leaders gather in The Hague for the 76th NATO Summit. The conversation focused on Canada’s recent pledge to meet NATO’s long-standing 2% GDP defence spending target by March 2026, as well as the summit’s broader agenda—expected to include raising the defence spending floor to 3.5%, enhancing alliance readiness, and addressing industrial capacity shortfalls.

Vincent Rigby on 76th NATO Summit | CDA Institute

91��Ƶ — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 15:41:51 +0000

June 23, 2025 | Professor Vincent Rigby, a former NSIA to the Prime Minister, along with Kerry Buck, a former Canadian Ambassador to NATO and Former Assistant Secretary General, Defence Investment, Wendy Gilmour joined the CDA Institute Expert Series to discuss the key issues, challenges, and likely outcomes of this year’s Summit for Canada and the Alliance in this podcast.

Vincent Rigby on Trump's Tariffs Wars | Washington Examiner

91��Ƶ — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:12:42 +0000

June 17, 2025 | Professor Vincent Rigby, a former Global Affairs Canada and Department of National Defence government official, contended at how Canada must not step away from the U.S. completely regarding trade, economics, defense, and security, despite “diversification strategies” because of Trump. “I mean, we share a continent...we are indivisible in that respect, and so it makes sense for Canada to still work closely with the United States on defense and security issues,” said Rigby.

Vincent Rigby on Strategic Autonomy Amidst G7 Uncertainty | The Globe and Mail

91��Ƶ — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 15:44:40 +0000

June 14, 2025 | Vincent Rigby, quoted in The Globe and Mail, sees Carney’s foreign policy as a clear break from traditional diplomacy rooted in values. He argues that Canada is embracing a more pragmatic, hard-headed approach in response to global volatility. While diversification of defence partnerships—such as working with European suppliers—is on the table, Rigby stresses that close coordination with the U.S. remains essential.

Vincent Rigby on Meeting Canada’s NATO Defence Targets | National Post

91��Ƶ — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 17:23:55 +0000

June 9, 2025 | Vincent Rigby was quoted in the National Post in response to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement that Canada will meet NATO’s 2% defence spending target this fiscal year, adding over $9 billion. Rigby, who previously served as national security and intelligence adviser, called the move a significant and welcome shift from earlier governments, emphasizing that it shows Canada is taking its defence commitments seriously. He noted that this is not just about supporting allies—it’s also about protecting Canadian interests and values.

Vincent Rigby on Canada’s Accelerated Defence Spending | CDA Institute

91��Ƶ — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:23:31 +0000

June 9, 2025 | In an interview for the Conference of Defence Associations (CDA) Institute’s Expert Series, Vincent Rigby reacts to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement that Canada will accelerate defence spending to reach 2% of GDP by the end of the 2025–26 fiscal year. Rigby unpacks the hurdles ahead—including the recruitment and retention crisis, slow procurement processes, and the complexity of aligning new investments with operational readiness.

Vincent Rigby on the Need for a Canadian Foreign Human Intelligence Service | The Globe and Mail

91��Ƶ — Mon, 12 May 2025 17:36:00 +0000

May 12, 2025 | Vincent Rigby, Slater Family Professor of Practice, alongside Stephanie Carvin and Thomas Juneau, wrote an opinion piece in The Globe and Mail urging the creation of a Canadian foreign human intelligence service. They argue that while Canada already collects intelligence through agencies like CSIS and the Canadian Armed Forces, the country needs a dedicated service to enhance its strategic autonomy and strengthen national security.

Vincent Rigby on Comparing Conservative and Liberal Defence Platforms

91��Ƶ — Thu, 01 May 2025 15:40:42 +0000

April 23, 2025 | For the Conference of Defence Associations Institute's Expert Series, Vincent Rigby compares the two major party platforms on defence and security issues, highlighting three crucial areas from both aspects of the Liberal and Conservative platforms: the commitment to 2% defence spending, sovereignty, and Canada’s foreign policy.

Listen to the episode here.

Vincent Rigby on a new Strategic Canadian Foreign Policy | Policy Options

91��Ƶ — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 19:01:50 +0000

April 3, 2025 | Professor Vincent Rigby and Norman Hillmer, wrote about the lack of strategic approach of Canada to world affairs and how it has been slow to react to rapidly changing threats.

Vincent Rigby on The End of Arctic Exceptionalism | CSIS

91��Ƶ — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 13:43:35 +0000

March 20, 2025 | Professor Vincent Rigby spoke on the end of arctic exceptionalism on a podcast episode of Center for Strategic & International Studies. Climate change and the reduction in sea ice is opening new shipping routes, and making it easier to tap the arctic’s natural resource wealth, especially critical minerals.

Vincent Rigby on Public Inquiry into Canadian Foreign Interference | Policy Options

91��Ƶ — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 19:52:55 +0000

February 18, 2025 | Professor Vincent Rigby discussed the final report from the Public Inquiry into Canadian Foreign Interference, led by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, released in late January after nearly 18 months of investigation. The report concluded that while foreign interference did undermine public confidence in Canadian democracy and affected the electoral ecosystem, it did not compromise the integrity of the 2019 or 2021 elections.

Vincent Rigby, Paul Wells, & Philippe Lagassé on the latest edition of Canada Among Nations

91��Ƶ — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 18:11:50 +0000

February 5, 2025 | Professor Vincent Rigby, Paul Wells, and Philippe Lagassé joined a podcast to discuss the launch of the latest edition of

Vincent Rigby on Global Security Shifts | CDA Institute

91��Ƶ — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 17:32:11 +0000

January 29, 2025 | Professor Vincent Rigby and Eugene Lang spoke about Canada's defence and foreign policy under Trudeau's leadership over the past decade, noting that the government has struggled to keep up with significant global changes. Together, they discuss how geopolitical tensions, particularly with China, Russia, and the United States, have evolved rapidly and Canada's response has been slow.

New book on National Security

91��Ƶ — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 20:27:19 +0000

December 21, 2024 | Norman Hillmer (Slater Visiting Scholar) and Vincent Rigby co-edited with Phil Legasse from NPSIA, book named Canada Among Nations 2023: Twenty-First Century National Security. The book includes articles by Jennifer Welsh on Choices for Canada in a New Geopolitical

Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference Enters Final Phase, Canada-India Relations | National Post

91��Ƶ — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 19:11:43 +0000

October 25, 2024 | Vincent Rigby along with professor Thomas Juneau wrote an article on the recommend strategies for Canada to ease the relationship with India in the National Post. The Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference (PIFI) is in its final phase, with a report due in December 2024 that will recommend strategies to counter future threats to Canada's democrac

Vincent Rigby on Strained Canada-India Diplomatic Relationship | The Globe and Mail

91��Ƶ — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 18:28:35 +0000

October 15, 2024 | Vincent Rigby wrote an article about the straining diplomatic relationship of Canada and India in The Globe and Mail. The Canadian government expelled six Indian diplomats, including the High Commissioner, brought India-Canada relations to their lowest ebb in 40 years.

Canada-U.S. Defence Relations in a Turbulent Time | Canadian Global Affairs Institute

91��Ƶ — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 21:02:56 +0000

August 2024 | Professor Vincent Rigby wrote a Working Paper #4 for The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, with collaboration of Canadian Global Affairs Institute. The paper consists of four sections that delves with Canada-U.S. Defence Relations in a Turbulent Time, U.S. Administration, and How to restore Canada's Military Credibility with the U.S., A Ten-Point Plan.

The Current State of Canada-US Defence Relations | Canadian Global Affairs Institute

91��Ƶ — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 21:49:37 +0000

September 9, 2024 | Vincent Rigby was a guest on The CGAI Podcast Network where he spoke about the The Current State of Canada-US Defence Relations.

92nd Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence | CPAC

91��Ƶ — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 18:35:04 +0000

March 6, 2024 | Vincent Rigby attended the 92nd Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence which is the largest and longest of its kind in Canada. The conference is an annual event held at the Chateau Laurier since 1932.

Should Canada have a foreign intelligence service? | Policy Insights Forum

91��Ƶ — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 17:37:59 +0000

March 20, 2024 | Vincent Rigby joins host Geoffrey St. John in an episode of the Canadian Foreign Intelligence Service podcast series and argues that Canada should carefully consider the creation of a foreign intelligence service. He believes that Canada's National Security Policy is outdated and needs a full review, which will open up conversations on establishing a foreign intelligence agency.

Q & A with Vincent Rigby | Wesley Wark

91��Ƶ — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 20:35:06 +0000

July 4, 2023 | In an interview conducted by Wesley Wark Vincent Rigby reflected on whether he might be prepared to play beyond the boundaries of his recent testimony on June 8 to the Standing Committee on Procedures and House Affairs, in order to enlarge on some of the issues he raised. The Q&A provides an unedited conversation between Wesley Wark and Vincent Rigby about his testimony.

Making of defence policies | Canadian Global Affairs Institute

91��Ƶ — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:54:31 +0000

March 24, 2023 | Visiting scholar Vincent Rigby, joined David Perry for an episode of Defence Deconstructed alongside Thomas Juneau, and Eugene Lang to reflect on defence policy reviews. They provided some interesting insights into current defence updates.

Listen to the podcast.

Justin Trudeau needs to assure Joe Biden about Canada’s commitment to security | The Globe and Mail

91��Ƶ — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 15:19:13 +0000

March 21, 2023 | Joe Biden will make his first trip to Ottawa as U.S. President on Thursday, where Biden wants to focus on security. The U.S. intelligence community recently warned that great-power competition will shape the global order for decades to come. In this more contested and volatile worlds, the U.S is looking for allies for support.

Six security and intelligence areas the Rouleau report needs to adress | Policy Opinions

91��Ƶ — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 17:19:55 +0000

February 16, 2023 | In his latest piece with Thomas Juneau, Vincent Rigby identified areas where Canada needs to improve its performance on national security. They stated that the six areas require particular attention.

Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy is finally out | The Globe and Mail

91��Ƶ — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 18:42:11 +0000

November 30, 2022 | Canada finally released its long-awaited Indo-Pacific Strategy on Sunday. This new policy framework is vital for a variety of actors, both inside and outside the government.