We see public safety and national security as largely federal or national responsibilities. And yet most of us are more connected with local officials – mayors and councilors. What role do they play in this?
Borealis talks with Port Coquitlam (BC) Mayor Brad West about Chinese interference and influence peddling in Canada and other issues
If the ins and outs of terrorism, extremism, national security and public safety are of interest to you, subscribe to receive free content by former Canadian intelligence analyst and author Phil Gurski on these issues.
Canadian Intelligence Eh
In a world of multiple voices and opinions it can be very hard to know where to turn. One choice is to look to those who actually worked in counter-terrorism in the national security world. In these half-hour podcasts, 30-year Canadian intelligence veteran Phil Gurski is joined by a fascinating array of individuals with something meaningful to say about these issues as they provide insight into what they mean and what we need to do about them.
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About my guest Mayor Brad West
Brad lives in Port Coquitlam with his wife Blaire. In 2017, the couple welcomed their first child, Liam and in 2021, their family welcomed a second son, Owen. Becoming a Dad motivates Brad every day to make Port Coquitlam a place future generations will be proud to call home. He is a graduate of the University of Victoria, St. Francis Xavier University and most recently completed a program in Leadership at Harvard University.
About the host Phil Gurski
Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior strategic analyst at CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) from 2001-2015, specializing in violent Islamist-inspired homegrown terrorism and radicalisation.
When Religion Kills: How Extremists Justify Violence Through Faith
Christian fundamentalists. Hindu nationalists. Islamic jihadists. Buddhist militants. Jewish extremists. Members of these and other religious groups have committed horrific acts of terrorist violence in recent decades. Phil Gurski explores violent extremism across a broad range of the world’s major religions.
‘I wanted to see that room empty’: Mayor slams attendees of Chinese-funded reception
Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West crashed a reception held in Vancouver and paid for by the Chinese government with two dozen Tim Hortons doughnuts Wednesday. Attached to each box was a picture of detained Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Korvig.
“We wanted to send a message that there are people, including elected officials who care about them, who haven’t forgotten about them and who will stand up for them,” West said. For months, he has been critical of the Chinese-sponsored event, held during the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention for local politicians.
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