Battlegrounds With H.R. McMaster: International Perspectives

Canada: A Partnership Under Stress | Battlegrounds With H.R. McMaster

May 14, 2025

In a thought-provoking discussion, David Vigneault, former director of CSIS, dives into the evolving relationship between the US and Canada post-election. He analyzes Prime Minister Mark Carney's victory and President Trump’s controversial statements about Canada. Vigneault emphasizes collaboration on defense, intelligence, and energy security while addressing the challenges posed by Canada-India tensions and broader geopolitical issues, particularly regarding China's influence and the need for resilience in international norms.

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INSIGHT

US-Canada Security Alignment

Canada's national security interest is very much aligned with the U.S., especially since World War II.
Despite political differences, the foundational partnership remains strong and essential for future cooperation.

ANECDOTE

Canada's Role in NORAD on 9-11

On 9-11, a Canadian general commanded NORAD and directed U.S. and Canadian military responses.
Canada's geographical position enables critical intelligence sharing and defense cooperation with the U.S.

INSIGHT

Impact of Trump's '51st State' Comments

President Trump's comments about Canada as the '51st state' annoyed Canadians and were seen as dangerous.
Such rhetoric damages trust and complicates the longstanding US-Canada partnership.

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Join former director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, David Vigneault, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss the Canadian federal election results, trade, and the potential for a common agenda for the future of the US-Canada alliance. Reflecting on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s victory in the Canadian federal election in April 2025 and President Trump’s recent controversial comments on Canada as the ‘51st state’, Vigneault provides his thoughts on the importance of the US-Canada relationship and outlines a positive agenda of cooperation between both countries in areas including North American defense, intelligence cooperation, missile defense, supply chain resilience and energy security. Vigneault discusses Canada’s relationship with Mexico, the dangers associated with conflicts in South Asia, including the current conflict between Pakistan and India, and how best to secure critical infrastructure, sensitive technologies, and intellectual property from hostile countries such as China.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

David Vigneault is the former director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, also known as CSIS. Under his leadership, CSIS elevated awareness of vulnerabilities in sectors critical to Canadian innovation and sovereignty—ranging from biopharmaceuticals and artificial intelligence to aerospace and quantum computing. Prior to CSIS, Vigneault served as Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet for Security and Intelligence in the Privy Council Office. He also held roles in the Canada Border Services Agency, the Communications Security Establishment, and the Department of National Defence. In August 2024, Vigneault joined Strider Technologies—a U.S.-based strategic intelligence firm—where he guides security strategy across public and private sector domains.

H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.