441-02107 (Information and privacy)

The Government of Canada takes cyber security very seriously. In December 2021, the Prime Minister mandated the creation of a new National Cyber Security Strategy (NCSS) to keep Canadians safe from cyber threats, including ransomware, as well as secure the many benefits and opportunities enabled by digital life for Canadian citizens, businesses, and society.

Canada’s new NCSS will articulate Canada’s long-term strategy to protect Canada's national and economic security against cyber-enabled threats such as espionage, cybercrime, the disruption of critical infrastructure, and foreign interference. As the national cyber security policy lead for the Government of Canada, Public Safety is leading this work in collaboration with the Government of Canada’s cyber security community.

The cyber security workforce shortage is one of the most critical and pressing challenges for Canada. An innovative and adaptive cyber ecosystem is foundational to the Government of Canada's efforts to position Canada as a global leader in cyber security. To build this competitiveness, Canada needs a skilled workforce and Government of Canada is actively consulting with partners in academia and industry to develop strategies that will address the need for a robust cyber security workforce. The Government will continue to work to increase the Canadian cyber security skills and talent pipeline to safeguard research and innovation, and prepare for the next generation of cyber security professionals.

Additionally, our government has introduced Bill C-26, An Act respecting cyber security, amending the telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts. This bill, will help to defend our critical infrastructure and the essential services that Canadians and Canadian businesses rely on every day.

Bill C-26 will increase collaboration and information sharing between industry and government and would require designated operators, in the telecommunications, financial, energy and transportation sectors to report cybersecurity incidents to the Communications Security Establishment.

Through improving the government's awareness of the cyber-threat landscape in these critical, federally regulated sectors, we can warn operators of potential threats and vulnerabilities so they can take action to protect their systems and to protect Canadians.

Our government will continue to work with domestic and international partners to strengthen Canada’s cyber security landscape and to increase Canadian cyber resilience.