Of Canaries and Ropes: Theoretical and Policy Dilemmas Stemming from Canada’s Huawei 5G Networks Saga

Abstract

In late May 2022 Canada joined its four other partners in the intelligence-sharing community dubbed the "Five Eyes", and banned the Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei from participation in its 5G network. This article explains what has been at stake for Canada and other countries in this saga, doing so in a way that emphasizes the tightly intermeshed nature of internal and international security. The metaphors in the article’s title draw our attention to the manner in which Canadian security policy interests have been increasingly affected negatively as a result of high-tech interdependence with China. This paper explores the reasons for, and implications of this surprising denouement of an "engagement" strategy that at one time possessed a great deal of allure in Ottawa, but is now regarded with increasing skepticism.