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Canada Implements New Measures Aimed at Protecting Its National Security
Canada has imposed restrictions on researchers linked with various international universities, predominantly in China, to deter them from undertaking work on subjects with potential ramifications on Canadian national safety. The new measures announced by Ottawa target the safeguarding of future and emerging technologies, denying government grant access to researchers associated with universities allied to defense and security sectors of countries posing security threats.
China-Based Universities Mainly Targeted, but Institutions from Iran and Russia Are Included
The universities primarily affected by these measures are located in China, with a few institutions in Iran and Russia also included in the list. This initiative follows recent charges against a researcher who was arrested and accused of espionage on behalf of China, casting a spotlight on the tension between intellectual property protection and international collaboration.
Government's Effort to Protect Intellectual Property and National Security Interests
"Canadian-based research is renowned for its excellence and a propensity for collaboration; however, it's openness exposes it as a potential target for foreign manipulation," declared the national ministers for innovation, health and public safety in a joint issue. An authority stated that while the policy currently only impacts federal funding, they hope that provincial governments and Canadian institutions would also take this as a guideline.
Canada's Participation in the "Five Eyes" Alliance and Conflict with China
Being part of the "Five Eyes" alliance along with Britain, the U.S., New Zealand and Australia, Canada's stance echoes last year's accusations from the alliance's intelligence heads who pointed a finger at China for theft of intellectual property and deploying artificial intelligence for hacking and espionage activities targeted towards these nations. China, however, has persistently dismissed these allegations.
The U.S. too has a history of accusing China of intellectual property theft, becoming a notable bone of contention in the diplomatically strained relations between the two nations.
