Who protects the rest? Civil defence and Canada’s critical infrastructure

In a national crisis, Canadians expect the CAF, EMS, and first responders to do what they are trained to do: protect the country. However, Canada has far more infrastructure to safeguard than there are professionals to protect it.

Chief of Defence Staff Jennie Carignan said in November 2025 that she's preparing options to present to the prime minister for a possible national mobilization plan that would recruit volunteers to join a reserve force of as many as 400,000 to assist during natural disasters or military attacks.The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY TYSON MACAULAY, TAYLOR GUNN

March 19, 2026

It is uncomfortable to imagine the circumstances that would require Canada to call on ordinary civilians to help protect the country. Yet, unprecedented times demand honest conversations.

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