Episode 4.14: People Centered Security and Defence

CDSN Podcast Producer Melissa Jennings steps in for Steve Saideman as she and Dr. Linna Tam-Seto (Assistant Professor Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto) discuss some long-term community security implications for Canadians that have been overlooked in all the defence spending news. This includes the effects of budget cuts to Veterans Affairs Canada, housing availability, disaster/emergency preparedness mitigation and planning in the provinces as well as research on the health impacts of new equipment and mandates for CAF members. Steve still had time to interview CDSN/Norman Paterson School of International Affairs’ Visiting Defence Fellow, Col. Shawn Guilbault. Colonel Shawn Guilbault is currently Visiting Defence Fellow at Carleton University’s Norman Patterson School of International Affairs. An RCAF base brat, he began his military career with the Governor General’s Foot Guards in Ottawa before commissioning as an Aerospace Control Officer. His postings span mobile radar, air defence sector, and E-3 AWACS operations in Canada and the United States, including the privilege of commanding 51 Aerospace Control & Warning [Operational Training] Squadron and the Canadian Detachment at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. Staff tours include lead air battle management standards at 1 Canadian Air Division, Chief Combat Systems Integration and, most recently, as Director Plans North America within the Strategic Joint Staff. Shawn is a graduate of the Fighter Weapons Instructor Course and the UK’s Advanced Command and Staff Course. He is married and a proud father of three amazing daughters. Links referenced for this episode: Unions, MPs warn funding cuts could affect services for veterans. The Canadian Press. Updated: March 13, 2026 at 6:16PM https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/unions-mps-warn-funding-cuts-could-affect-services-for-veterans/ Mixed reactions in the North to Carney’s $35B defence and major projects announcement: N.W.T. leaders welcome announcement, but some Yukon leaders say they’re underwhelmed. Sarah St-Pierre · CBC News · Posted: Mar 13, 2026 9:54 AM EDT | Last Updated: March 13https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/mixed-reactions-carney-35b-defence-major-projects-announcements-9.7126958 Lack of air quality monitoring in rural B.C. raises concerns as wildfire smoke risks grow: Death of 9-year-old Carter Vigh in July 2023 highlights health risks and gaps in air quality monitoring. CBC News · Posted: Mar 28, 2026 10:00 AM https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/wildfire-smoke-and-air-quality-monitoring-in-b-c-9.7145399 Peguis evacuation owing to flooding may be inevitable: minister. Winnipeg Free Press Posted: 7:03 PM CDT Tuesday, Apr. 14, 2026 https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/04/14/peguis-evacuation-owing-to-flooding-may-be-inevitable-minister?utm_campaign=headstart&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--l3gYpei5pbmHuJ4dncIYCzgVhmCDrzc_AsU36J13LaH7vHHUXjPPn9nk5cHkLrF4JRWtPxLJjBnRUuV_VYoCUG-o9L8soPl7V1o4KRdqjeKdEkxM&_hsmi=16045117&utm_source=hubspot IDMC's Internal Displacement Updates (IDU) Canada. https://www.internal-displacement.org/countries/canada/