University changes its mind - decides not to talk publicly about cyber crime and national security

By Pepper Parr

September 25th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

We received the following from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU):

As America retreats from international cooperation under “America First” policies, Canada faces an unprecedented cybersecurity challenge. Our intelligence sharing is strained, law enforcement response slowed and cybercriminals are increasingly able to target Canadian critical infrastructure, businesses and people. The very frameworks that enable global law enforcement to combat sophisticated cybercrime are crumbling, and Canadians are paying the price.

Is this a 2025 version of a “spook” school?

Looking ahead to October (Cybersecurity Awareness Month) Charles Finlay, Founding Executive Director of the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at TMU and member of the Canadian Chamber’s Cyber Security Council, would like to speak with you on Canada’s cybersecurity crisis, and discuss:

• • • How U.S. withdrawal from global frameworks and limits on information sharing are weakening the multilateral structures that make tackling cybercrime possible.
    • Why are cybercriminals stealing hundreds of billions annually, targeting everything from power grids and hospitals to election systems is putting out democracy at risk.
    • Canada’s opportunity to safeguard national interests and lead a new model of cybersecurity cooperation among democratic allies.
    • The real-world consequences when multilateral cybersecurity efforts succeed — and when they fail.

TMU’s Public Relations Advisor asked if we were interested in speaking with Charles about how Canada can navigate this evolving cyber threat landscape and protect national security in a fragmented world, I’d be happy to coordinate.

We were indeed interested in an interview and put together some of the questions I wanted to ask:

How bad is it?

Could bad actors bring down the internet as we know it?

Do governments have backup systems in place? Recall that Rogers didn’t have a backup for their network when it was taken down

What can government do to prevent the scams taking place?

And what is AI going to do to what we have in place now?

Instructor overseeing the work of a student at cybercrime class.

TMU got a case of cold feet and sent us the following:

Thank you again for considering this. After some internal discussion, we won’t be moving forward at this time. I really appreciate your interest, and I’ll certainly keep you in mind for future opportunities.

I find myself wondering what it is that they don’t want us to know.  We are in perilous times; sabre-rattling is increasing: the war that has been expected for some time has already started.  This war will be an electronic event; drones and electronic warfare with signals being blocked.  Probably very few boots on the ground.