Bastion Institute · Institut Bastion
Advancing North American Security
Policy research on Arctic security and safety, and on the Canada–U.S. cooperation that protects people, infrastructure and sovereignty across the North and the continent.
Ottawa · Washington, D.C.
Our Mission
Security and safety for a changing North
The Arctic is changing quickly, and so are the demands on the people and institutions responsible for it. Longer navigation seasons, new economic activity and renewed strategic competition place greater weight on search and rescue, emergency response, resilient infrastructure and continental defence.
The Bastion Institute aims to bring policy, operational and technical perspectives together to help Canadian and American decision-makers meet those demands, with the Arctic as our first priority and North American security as our wider frame.
Ad Praesidium et Unitatem
For protection and unity
Policy
Practical, evidence-based options for governments and their partners on both sides of the border.
Strategy
Long-range thinking on how Canada and the United States protect the North and the continent together.
Sovereignty
Respect for the people, communities and lawful authorities who govern Arctic and northern lands and waters.
Research Programs
Arctic first, through a North American lens
Our work begins in the Arctic and extends to the wider security of the continent. Each program looks at how Canada and the United States can protect people, communities and critical systems together.
Lead program · 01
Arctic Security & Safety
Sovereignty, search and rescue, maritime safety, emergency response, NORAD and continental defence in the North, and the critical infrastructure northern communities rely on.
SovereigntySearch and rescueMaritime safetyEmergency responseNORAD & northern defenceNorthern community infrastructure
02
Canada–U.S. Security Cooperation & Continental Defence
How Canada and the United States plan, share information and invest together in the defence of North America, including NORAD modernization and the northern approaches.
03
Critical Infrastructure Resilience
Energy, communications, transportation and water systems that northern and remote communities depend on, and how to keep them working through severe weather and disruption.
04
Emergency Management & Public-Safety Governance
Coordination among federal, provincial, territorial, state, Indigenous and local authorities before, during and after emergencies.
05
Homeland Security & Defense
Border integrity, maritime domain awareness and the protection of people and communities from evolving threats on both sides of the border.
06
Technology, AI & Cyber Governance
Responsible use of AI, satellite, sensing and cyber capabilities for security and public safety, including in remote and northern operating environments.
07
Defence Industrial Base & Supply-Chain Resilience
Secure, reliable supply chains for defence and critical goods, including the logistics of sustaining operations and communities in the North.
Insights
Latest analysis and commentary
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Greenland and the Arctic Security of North America
Greenland sits on the northern approaches to North America. A new U.S.–Denmark–Greenland defence agreement, NATO’s Arctic Sentry and Canada’s NORAD investments all turn on that geography.…
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Canada, Greenland and the United States: Building a Trilateral Arctic Safety Partnership
Canada, Greenland and the United States share the North American Arctic, its sea lanes and its risks. Many of the pieces of a practical safety partnership…
Our Offices
Two capitals, one continent
Our work is focused on Ottawa and Washington, D.C., where Canadian and American security policy is made.
Ontario, Canada
Ottawa
Canadian policy perspective
United States
Washington, D.C.
U.S. policy perspective
Events
Coming soon
Our first roundtables on Arctic security and Canada–U.S. cooperation will be announced here. Subscribe to be notified.
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Event notices by email
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Contact
Contact the Institute
For research collaboration, briefings, media or general inquiries, please send us a message.
General inquiries
Offices
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Washington, D.C., United States