National security is a core responsibility of the Government of Canada, encompassing the protection of our citizens, institutions, and infrastructure from threats both foreign and domestic. We take a whole-of-government approach to security, coordinating the efforts of various agencies and departments to identify risks, prevent attacks, and respond to emergencies. Our goal is to ensure a safe and secure Canada where everyone can live in peace and freedom.
Preventing terrorism is a top priority for our security and intelligence agencies. We work to identify and disrupt plots, manage the threat posed by individuals who have traveled abroad to join terrorist groups, and address the underlying causes of radicalization to violence. Through the National Strategy on Counter-Terrorism, we coordinate our efforts with international partners and local communities to protect Canadians from the threat of terrorism in all its forms.
Canada is an open and democratic society, which makes us a target for foreign interference and espionage. We work to protect our democratic institutions, economy, and diaspora communities from the activities of foreign states that seek to undermine our national interests. This involves enhancing our intelligence capabilities, increasing public awareness of the threat, and implementing measures to protect our critical infrastructure and sensitive technologies from foreign exploitation.
Managing our borders is essential for national security and the smooth flow of legitimate travel and trade. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) works to prevent the entry of individuals and goods that pose a threat to Canada, including terrorists, criminals, and illegal drugs. We also work closely with our partners in the United States to ensure the security and efficiency of the shared border, which is vital for the economic prosperity and security of both countries.
Access to timely and accurate intelligence is critical for identifying and mitigating security threats. Our intelligence agencies, such as the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), work to collect and analyze information on potential threats to Canada. This information is used to inform government decision-making and support the operations of our law enforcement and security partners. We ensure that these activities are conducted in accordance with Canadian law and are subject to robust independent oversight.