Opening words by Mr. Peter Van Praagh, President of the Halifax International Security Forum, and Minister Rob Nicholson, Minister of National Defense of Canada, welcoming participants to Canada and to the 2014 Forum.
For the first time at the Halifax International Security Forum, the Session Opener was broadcast nationally, moderated by Global News’ Chief Political Correspondent, Tom Clark. The panel included the pinnacle of North American military leadership and dug into the internal and external risks to shared continental security. A variety of security threats were raised, including homegrown and foreign terrorism, vulnerabilities in private and public agencies and infrastructure like energy networks, as well as domestic matters such as crime and immigration. Panelists agreed that collaboration between North American military partners is necessary for continental security and that the existing relationships between Canada, the US, and Mexico should remain robust.
In the context of reviewing the historic and defining wars of the past century, panelists pursued a vibrant discussion on the current trajectory of modernity; what that means in terms of democracy, who wants it, and how to get it. Current political and ideological movements in the Middle East, Russia, and China were at the crux of the exchange between the panelists. Panelists also considered how political and theological ideologies transcend the borders of nation states and impact how democracy and modernity can develop within these borders.
LOCATION: Westin Lobby
LOCATION: Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
Presentation of the Halifax Builder Award
Mr. Bill McCaffrey, President and Chief Executive Officer, MEG Energy Corporation
