Protecting Canadian national interests
After twenty years in Canada's national security community, Ryan Telford has considerable experience working to protect Canadian national interests, at home and around the world. As your candidate, Ryan will remain a strong advocate for robust Canadian defence of its national interests.
Reinvigorating National Defence.
Ryan believes that national defence is a vital responsibility of the federal government. Increased defence spending is the first step. As part of the Ottawa West-Nepean policy committee, Ryan helped co-sponsor three defence-related policy proposals that were officially adopted as part of the Conservative Policy Declaration in September 2023. Ryan supported a Conservative statement on Canadian Arctic Sovereignty, encouraging the acquisition of icebreakers, development of northern ports and other necessary capabilities intended to facilitate year-round access to Canadian territory. He also supported a new Conservative policy on Canadian cybersecurity, acknowledging an increased prevalence of cyber threats. Finally, Ryan supported a proposal to modernize NORAD and improve Canadian multilateral alliances in the Indo-Pacific region (e.g. QUAD, AUKUS).
Deterrence and Strength through Collective Defence
At the Common Sense Convention in September 2023, Ryan helped successfully co-sponsor a policy proposal put forward with the Wellington-Halton Hills Electoral District Association. It was supported by the Hon. Michael Chong, Conservative Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as James Bezan, Conservative Shadow Minister for National Defence:
"The Conservative Party of Canada supports Canada's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the principle of collective security. A Conservative Government will work towards spending at least the NATO recommend two (2) percent of our GDP on National Defence. As an Indo-Pacific nation, Conservatives support Canada joining the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD Group) for strategic military cooperation, as well as charting a path to membership in the new elite defence pact AUKUS."
Ryan argued in favour of this policy at the convention, arguing that as a Pacific nation Canada needed to increase its focus on the Indo-Pacific region. In the same way that NORAD and NATO facilitate Canadian defence in both the Arctic and the North Atlantic region, this Conservative motion reflects the need for Canada to engage in Pacific multilateral defence agreements that have to date excluded our country.
Protecting Canadian Arctic Sovereignty
At the recent Conservative convention, Ryan helped co-sponsor a policy proposal on protecting Arctic sovereignty and continental security. This proposal was led by the Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman Electoral District Association with support from Bob Zimmer, the Shadow Minister for Northern Affairs and Arctic Sovereignty:
"A Conservative government will engage with the United States to develop and implement a strategic plan for NORAD modernization. We will upgrade the North Warning System, expand our Forward Operating Locations, construct a new Arctic naval base and procure military equipment and air-defence systems that better protect Canada."
Ryan argued at the Convention that Canada should be able to exercise sovereignty throughout Canadian territory year-round and that the Arctic was a theatre where Canada could carry its weight within NORAD and NATO. He has been an advocate for innovation in defence solutions, especially for new Canadian icebreakers and uncrewed aerial systems (i.e. drones).
Advancing Canadian Cybersecurity
As outlined in Canada's National Cyber Security Strategy, the online world is becoming an increasingly critical component of our country's national security. In Quebec City last September, Ryan helped co-sponsor a policy proposal put forward by the Northumberland-Peterborough South Electoral District Association that would add official inclusion of cybersecurity in the Conservative Policy Declaration:
"The Conservative Party fully recognizes the importance of cybersecurity as part of our national defence strategy for public and private entities. We would work with our allies to establish a national standard for cybersecurity and reporting of intrusions, and to be sure our infrastructure is protected."
Ryan supports the integration of the cybersecurity as vital component of Canada's national security interests. In particular, the Conservative motion recognizes the importance of protecting Canada's critical infrastructure and private sector that otherwise risk undermining Canada's economic interests and international competitiveness.
Enhanced Canadian capabilities to address convergent national security threats.
Reinvigorating our military capabilities to face contemporary threats is only one component of Canada's wider national security toolkit. Ryan is also an advocate for a robust Canadian foreign policy, an increased diplomatic footprint overseas, and targeted international development programs. He supports enhanced Canadian tools to disrupt foreign interference in Canadian democracy, increased protection for Canada's diaspora communities from foreign conflicts, increased investment in cybersecurity and the adoption of new Canadian technologies such as uncrewed aerial systems and artificial intelligence. Critically, Ryan supports the modernization of Canada's security intelligence capabilities in order to better understand, anticipate and counter a contemporary threat environment
Canada must continue to stand with its friends and allies around the world.
Faced with hostile state actors and increased uncertainty in international relations, Conservative leadership is required to ensure Canada is counted among the global champions of democracy and freedom. To achieve this, Ryan Telford believes that Canada requires innovation and investment today, so that our country has the capability to defend our interests when it matters most.
Standing for Democracy in Ukraine
On 24 February 2024 we recognize the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In those two years we have seen the devastating impact of this conflict. It has done terrible damage to the Ukrainian economy and people. In addition to the humanitarian costs, the damage to Ukraine has had a spillover impact in far removed countries in places like Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Increased food insecurity in places reliant on Ukrainian grain exports has exacerbated political instability in Global South countries already grappling with record high inflation. Further, economic sanctions on Russia have impacted the international energy market, with serious consequences for nations previously reliant on Russian exports - including several of our closest European allies. And even the Russian people themselves have suffered under their own government, facing international isolation and steep humanitarian costs.
Canada has stood by Ukraine. Through successive Conservative and Liberal governments, we have welcomed refugees to our country. We have provided diplomatic and humanitarian support. Alongside our NATO allies we have provided military equipment, training and support to Ukraine through the Canadian Armed Forces Operation UNIFER. We have done so during a tumultuous post-pandemic period of increased inter- and intra-state conflict.
Sadly, it has not been enough.
We now face an entrenchment of the stalemate in Ukraine that risks de facto partition. Other legitimate crises in Armenia-Azerbaijan, Ecuador, Sudan, Israel and a dozen other countries have sapped international capacity to respond. Autocratic regimes and non-state actors eager to undermine democracy and our rule-based international order are pushing their limits. Foreign interference remains on an upward trajectory, threatening to undermine democracy in Canada and its allies. Extremism, political polarization and truth decay seek to impede civil discourse and international consensus.
International support is wavering amongst the tragedy, costs and global crisis fatigue. Domestic support is wavering amid an affordability and housing crisis. Canada must stand strong.
To do more, and faster, Canada needs Conservative leadership. Taking immediate steps to kick-start our economy, critical mineral development and energy industry will not just benefit Canadians, but it will give us increased capacity as a nation to make a difference. Getting Canada's affordability, inflation and housing in check is essential. Our castle must be built on stone, not sand.
With a stronger economic foundation in place, Canada will have increased resources to enhance our military, diplomacy and international development programming. It will allow us to restore our place as a global leader in providing clean energy, powering the world. Under a Conservative government, these steps will give us the improved tools necessary to stand beside our friends and allies around the world when it matters.
I am running for the Conservative nomination to represent Ottawa West-Nepean. I believe that my experience in Canada's national security community makes me the best candidate to represent you in Parliament, and to make a difference in the future of our country. I am committed to helping form a Conservative government essential to getting our country back on track.
I intend to stand for Canada and for our democracy. I intend to stand with our allies and with Ukraine.