On August 14, 2003, a software glitch in Ohio caused a massive blackout that left over 50 million people in the northeastern United States and Ontario without power. The outage lasted for several days, disrupting subways, water plants, and communications, while food spoiled. Ten million Canadians were affected, with many stuck in elevators or forced to walk long distances home due to halted transit systems. Despite the chaos, communities came together, sharing food and resources, showcasing resilience. However, experts caution that the circumstances were fortunate. The blackout occurred in summer, not winter, and was due to a technical failure rather than a cyberattack.

At that time, more than 60 percent of Canadians still used cash, and over 90 percent had landline phones, which were unaffected by the outage. The analog systems of the early 2000s provided a buffer against the impact of the blackout. Today, the landscape has changed significantly. Fewer than 10 percent of Canadians regularly use cash, and less than 40 percent have landlines. The integration of technology into daily life has increased reliance on digital systems, making the country more vulnerable.

The Canadian electricity grid is closely linked with the American grid, and financial systems are also interconnected. This means that an attack on one part of the system could have widespread repercussions across borders. Adversaries such as Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea have already demonstrated their capabilities. For instance, Russia's cyberattacks on Ukraine's grid in 2015 and 2016 highlighted the risks to civic infrastructure.

Recent incidents have further exposed vulnerabilities. The Rogers outage in 2022 left 12 million Canadians without internet or cell service, affecting hospitals and emergency services. Cyberattacks and ransomware incidents are now commonplace, targeting various sectors, including healthcare and power distribution. Reports of espionage linked to China at a Canadian electricity provider have raised alarms about national security.

Experts warn that Canada is unprepared for the challenges posed by increasing reliance on technology. Cash is disappearing, and payment systems are becoming more susceptible to failure. The shift to social media for news and information has also diminished traditional sources of communication. Furthermore, critical data is often stored on foreign cloud platforms, governed by external laws.

To address these challenges, experts suggest that Canada must prioritize resilience in its infrastructure. This involves maintaining a cash element in the economy, protecting critical services, and ensuring regular testing and analog backups. Cyber defense should be treated as a matter of national security, with a commitment to invest in cyber capabilities as part of a broader defense strategy.

Additionally, Canada should focus on building a smart and resilient electricity grid, enhancing digital sovereignty, and investing in artificial intelligence capabilities. These steps are essential to safeguard the country's infrastructure and ensure the stability of essential services in the face of evolving threats.