Transfer for the Halifax International Security Forum

The Halifax International Security Forum has established itself as one of the premiere gathering places to discuss global security issues.
In these Estimates, National Defence is transferring $3.1 million to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to cover our share of the successful 2019 Forum.
National Defence is proud to support this event, as it provides an invaluable opportunity for Canada to shape discussions on international security issues.
Key themes for this year’s conference included: climate change, the Arctic, China, the use of technology in defence and national security, and Women Peace and Security.
We continue to talk with our partners to ensure that this Forum yields value to decision-makers and Canadians.

Key Facts

In August 2019, National Defence entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to contribute funding to the Halifax International Security Forum for a one-year period.
In November 2019, the Forum hosted over 300 participants from over 30 countries and organizations.

The Halifax International Security Forum (HISF) is organized by HISF Inc., which is funded by the Department of National Defence and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) through a contribution agreement managed by ACOA.
The initial contribution agreement, signed in 2013, was worth $9.8 million and was meant to fund the Forum for five years, from 2014-2018.
The agreement was terminated in early 2017 as a result of the distribution of additional funds by National Defence in 2016-17 to alleviate financial pressures and allow the 2016 iteration of the Forum to proceed.
Since 2017, National Defence has entered into a yearly Memorandum of Understanding with the ACOA to support the organization of Halifax International Security Forum. Each year, National Defence’s contribution is approximately $3 million.

Version 5; 2020-02-19 – Source: Director Budget draft tab; D Parl A Supps (B) 2019 note, “Canadian Safety and Security Program.”