Democracies are facing unprecedented challenges, defence minister tells forum

HALIFAX — Defence Minister David McGuinty opened a conference on global security Friday by warning the world’s complex security environment has become more dangerous than since the Cold War.

“The rules-based international order, which has supported decades of stability and decades of unprecedented prosperity, is being challenged on multiple fronts,” he told a news conference as the Halifax International Security Forum began three days of discussions.

Asked about Russia’s war with Ukraine, the defence minister said he was aware of a proposed peace plan that had been negotiated between the U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and Russia.

McGuinty said Canada supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity, but also that there was support for dialogue that could lead to a negotiated settlement to end the war.

McGuinty later delivered a speech to the forum, saying the foundations of democracy were showing cracks amid increasing challenges from China, North Korea and Russia.

He said Canada is responding by investing in the Canadian Armed Forces.

“If we really believe in the underlying principals of our global order … we all have to step up,” he said.

The conference has attracted more than 300 delegates from around the world, including politicians, academics, government officials, military leaders and non-government organizations.

This year’s focus is democracy, with almost every on-the-record plenary session devoted to the topic.

McGuinty told delegates the conference presented an opportunity for participants to renew their commitment to democracy, the rule of law and democratic partnerships.

“Our task is clear,” he said. “To reaffirm not only our shared values, but our shared responsibility to shape a safer, more resilient and a more peaceful world.”

Peter Van Praagh, founder and president of the forum, said the threats from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are clear.

“We cannot meet those threats unless our democracies are working, and to be more specific, unless American democracy is working,” he said.

He said the U.S. government under Donald Trump doesn’t talk about democracy because it is not a priority.

Among the delegates are eight U.S. senators led by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a top-ranking Democrat on the U.S. Senate foreign relations committee.

Others include Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan and Justice Minister Sean Fraser, as well as defence ministers from Sweden, the Netherlands, Latvia, Estonia and Colombia.

Unlike previous conferences, this one does not include any members of the U.S. military because the Pentagon banned any serving members from attending this year.

Asked about American participation at the conference, McGuinty said Canada and the United States continue to “work hand-in-glove” on security and defence issues.

He noted that half of the U.S. senators at the conference are Republican.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.

Michael MacDonald, The Canadian Press