Halifax International Security Forum

CAF Operations

Why is the government threatening to pull funding from the Halifax International Security Forum over a proposed award to Taiwan’s president?

The Government of Canada is proud to support the Halifax International Security Forum.
The Forum is an annual conference which brings together experts from across the world to discuss international security and defence challenges.
The Government of Canada has provided financial support to the Halifax International Security Forum since 2009.
The Forum is run by a non-profit organization and National Defence is not involved in the planning of the Forum nor in selecting recipients for its awards.
Forum organizers may request panelists on various topics, and National Defence tries to support these requests where we can and when appropriate.
National Defence will continue to support the Forum in its mission to strengthen strategic cooperation among democracies.

In 2020, the Department of National Defence provided $3,297,173.30 in funding to the Forum.
The Government of Canada has provided a total of $25,437,590.30 in funding to the Forum since 2009.
Halifax International Security Forum 2020 (November 20-22)
- The Minister of National Defence provided the opening remarks.
- Several senior-level officials from DND/CAF participated, including the Deputy Minister, Chief of the Defence Staff and Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy).
The Halifax international Security Forum is organized by Halifax International Security Forum Inc., an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Washington, D.C.
The John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service:
- Annual award given at the Forum to individuals from any country who have demonstrated uncommon leadership in the pursuit of human justice.
- Decisions on the award are made independently by the Halifax International Security Forum organization.
  - National Defence does not provide input for this award.

Responsible Principals: ADM(Pol)

April 12, 2021