Public Safety Canada has released the Sensitive Technology List (STL), which identifies eleven broad technology areas that the Government of Canada considers to be sensitive from a security, intelligence and national defence perspective. This list is intended to inform activities, policies and programs with national security considerations. It can be used to inform foreign investment reviews, export controls and research security and is intended to inform federal policies and programs.
The following definition of Sensitive Technology was used to establish the STL:
Technologies (including intangible technology/know-how) that are emerging or have novel applications or capabilities, and those that can uplift adversarial advantage, the transfer of which could cause injury to Canada's national security and defence through:
- Canadian or allied military degradation or enhancement of adversarial military capability (i.e. dual-use, or having both civilian/commercial and military uses); and
- Canadian or allied intelligence degradation or enhancement of adversarial intelligence capability.
While the STL and the list of Sensitive Technology Research Areas (STRA) share common headings, the STL does not supersede or replace the STRA. The STRA list remains the list for consideration when submitting funding applications for projects governed by the STRAC Policy.