25 Years After 9/11: Terrorism, Security and the Changing Canadian Landscape

Thursday, September 10th, 2026

Ottawa, ON

Summary

September 11, 2001 transformed Canada's approach to national security, intelligence, policing and counterterrorism but also the way that Canadians think about diversity and pluralism. Twenty-five years later, terrorism remains a security concern, but the nature of the threat has changed considerably. The security environment has evolved from the dominant post-9/11 focus on organized international terrorist networks to a more diffuse landscape that includes lone actors, far-right movements, online radicalization, conspiracy-driven extremism and continuing threats inspired by violent ideologies. In addition, important debates have emerged over the place of diversity and secularism in public institutions.

What has Canada learned over the past twenty-five years? How have intelligence and law-enforcement agencies adapted? How has radicalization changed in the age of social media? How should Canada understand the relationship between global conflicts, online networks and domestic extremism? And how can Canada respond effectively to terrorism while protecting democratic freedoms and maintaining public confidence?

Bringing together perspectives from national security, intelligence, extremism research and frontline counterterrorism experience, the forum will assess the lessons of the post-9/11 era; consider the threats Canada is likely to face in the years ahead; and consider what an inclusive model of citizenship, pluralism and belonging should look like in future.

Preliminary program

Please note that this is a provisional program and that content may be subject to change.