Stephanie Carvin
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stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
Stephanie Carvin
@stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
15K followers 810 following 2.6K posts
Former national security analyst, Associate Professor. Research on national and international security based in Ottawa, Canada 🇨🇦
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stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
Really looking forward to co-hosting this event on the Indo-Pacific and Japan-Canada cooperation with the Japanese Embassy and the Asia Pacific Foundation. Please sign up using the link below!

us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Poster for the event. 1 December 2025 online (through the link below) 6-7pm ET.
November 25, 2025 at 2:00 AM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
HELLO.
My dog Max, a 13.5 year old black and white CavaTsu, sleeping on my bed
November 21, 2025 at 10:47 PM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
Very pleased to co-host this event with the Japanese Embassy in Canada and the Asia-Pacific Foundation on December 1 at 6pm.

It's online and free to register!

us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
Ottawa has been so gloomy but for Max it is just an excuse to get cozy with the unnecessary yet completely necessary Christmas pillows.

Happy Friday, folks!
My dog Max, a 13.5 year old CavaTsu, is curled up on the grey couch on a blue blanket and red cushion. He stares into the camera with his button eyes and is adorable.
November 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
Everything is bad and I got nothing. Here is a picture of my 13.5 year old CavaTzu, Max.
Max is staring expectantly into the camera. He is wearing a black sweater. (He is black and white). Some of his teefies are adorably sticking out one side of his mouth.
November 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
Just noticed that the Budget calls for Canada to join Eurovision. Like we are never going to get the points, guys. Unless we join the Eastern European block.
Text reads: Protecting Our National Broadcaster: CBC/Radio-Canada CBC/Radio-Canada is part of our Canadian identity. Canada's new government is protecting our national broadcaster by ensuring it has the resources needed to modernise and better deliver for Canadians, and to continue providing vital programming in both French and English. • Budget 2025 proposes to provide $150 million in 2025-26 for CBC/Radio-Canada to strengthen its mandate to serve the public and to better reflect the needs of Canadians. The government will explore modernising CBC/Radio-Canada's mandate to strengthen independence, and is working with CBC/Radio Canada to explore participation in Eurovision.
November 5, 2025 at 1:21 PM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
There is basically nothing on national security and intelligence but an entire paragraph on how the RCMP buys marijuana. 🤨
The RCMP will also adjust how it delivers the Cannabis for Medical Purposes benefit. Currently, the program reimburses medical cannabis at a rate of $8.50 per gram, which is significantly above the market price. RCMP will transition to reimburse at $6.00 per gram – which still remains above, but closer to the market price. This adjustment maintains existing entitlements to meet the needs of RCMP members, while ensuring the government is paying a fair price to provide this support. For those members who already purchase medical cannabis for $6.00 per gram or less, they will see no change.
November 5, 2025 at 2:21 AM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
Hell, the RCMP is getting a heritage centre in Regina.
RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan;
November 5, 2025 at 2:16 AM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
International Development is taking a big hit - $2.7 Billion cut.
Returning International Development $2.7 billion over four years, Assistance to a Pre-Pandemic Level: Recalibrated international assistance, and leveraging innovative tools while focusing support for countries that need it the most.
November 5, 2025 at 2:12 AM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
The section on "Strengthening Ties in the Indo-Pacific and Europe" is framed exclusively through trade. (p. 140). The government seems to want to use the model that came out of the Indo-Pacific Strategy in Europe when it comes to increasing business ties.
4. Making New Business-to-Business Connections in Europe Building on recent and continuing efforts in the Indo-Pacific region, the government will launch a series of new initiatives to showcase the talent and competitiveness of Canadian enterprises in European markets. Budget 2025 proposes to provide $8 million over four years, starting in 2026-27, and $2 million ongoing, to Global Affairs Canada to deepen trade relations with European partners by undertaking new trade missions with Canadian businesses and supporting Canadian Chambers of Commerce in Europe.
November 5, 2025 at 2:03 AM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
Although, to be fair, any new money for GAC is aimed squarely at trade efforts.
New Strategic Exports Office: Canada’s competitors are increasingly fusing traditional diplomacy with commercial acumen to help their businesses and workers win opportunities abroad. To coordinate engagement across all departments and Government of Canada tools, a new Strategic Exports Office at Global Affairs Canada will curate a pipeline of international business opportunities and build sophisticated, proactive roadmaps for Canadian senior-level engagement to open doors and remove roadblocks for Canadian companies. This Office will operate with resolve and laser-focus to remove longstanding trade irritants, market access barriers, infrastructure gaps, and financing needs. Budget 2025 proposes to provide $68.5 million over four years, starting in 2026-27, with $19.9 million ongoing, to Global Affairs Canada to enhance CanExport, which encourages small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), national industry associations, and innovators to diversify their exports to new markets abroad by sharing the costs of international business development activities, such as legal expenses, trade shows, and market research. Of this amount, $14.6 million over four years starting in 2026-27 and $2.6 million ongoing will be repurposed from existing resources. Budget 2025 proposes to provide $7.6 million over four years, starting in 2026-27, with $2.1 million ongoing to Global Affairs Canada to support Canadian companies through the Innovation Partnership Program and the Canadian Technology Accelerator. The Innovation Partnership Program helps Canadian companies scale up their exports through international partnerships, and the Canadian Technology Accelerator helps Canadian technology companies access international markets and export opportunities. Of this amount, $1.9 million over four years, starting in 2026-27, and $0.6 million ongoing will be repurposed from existing resources.
November 5, 2025 at 1:56 AM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
For a government that wants to double the number of non-US exports, cutting 15% at Global Affairs Canada over 5 years seems a strange way to do it.
Global Affairs To meet up to 15 per cent in savings targets over three years, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is refocusing Canada’s international presence in the areas of advocacy, security, and development, as well as implementing targeted reforms across its trade and investment portfolio to better align with current strategic priorities and the geo-political context. As part of these adjustments, there will be reductions in development funding to global health programming, where Canada’s contribution has grown disproportionately relative to other similar economies, and to some international financial institutions, which receive significant support through other sources, and where Canada’s contributions can be leveraged further. Some bilateral development programs will also be refined and adjusted. These changes are expected to rebaseline the International Assistance Envelope to pre-COVID levels. GAC will implement reforms across its trade and investment portfolio, including modernising the Trade Commissioner Service, and refocusing certain trade support programs. Collectively, these measures aim to reduce duplication, lower administrative overhead and focus efforts on high-impact services for Canadian businesses. GAC will also implement a range of measures to find efficiencies across Canada’s mission network, including revamping emergency preparedness and Modernising consular services. It will reduce its mission expenditures through a number of strategies, including consolidating embassies with multiple properties into fewer buildings, acquiring Crown-owned properties in certain cases, and colocating some offices with allies where appropriate.
November 5, 2025 at 1:49 AM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
Canada’s major national security and defence agencies facing only a 2% cut overall in Budget 2025. This includes CBSA, CSE, CSIS, DND and the RCMP.
Text says: Savings across departments and programs vary, reflecting the need to protect the important mandates that some organizations have in delivering frontline services, social programs, and priorities such as defence and security. • Recognizing recent investments and the importance of securing Canada's sovereignty, security and border, the Department of National Defence, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency's annual savings target was set at two per cent of the review base. Given their essential role in keeping our country safe, this approach is also being taken with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Communications Security Establishment.
November 5, 2025 at 1:42 AM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
November 2, 2025 at 4:22 AM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
Happy Halloween from Max 🎃
My dog Max, stares into a void of horror as he wears a pumpkin costume while sitting on a bench covered in a Halloween themed-quilt, next to two stuffed pumpkins and a giant stuffed turkey squish mellow. This is my favourite picture of him
October 31, 2025 at 11:05 AM
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On my way should be there by this evening.
A picture of a 1970s era room with white alls and a TV with blood spatter everywhere. The caption on the photo reads “Caption this with the 2nd to last text you sent”
October 26, 2025 at 11:51 PM
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Max, enjoying his new Halloween sweater, unbothered. Moisturized. In his lane. Thriving.
My dog, Max, a 13.5 year old black and white CavaTzu, is lying on a grey blanket on the couch, wearing his new green Halloween sweater, which is Frankenstein’s face on the back. Obviously he is adorable
October 25, 2025 at 9:47 PM
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Canadian enthusiasm knows no bounds.
Two very bland “Go Jays” posts. (But both dudes are great people)
October 9, 2025 at 2:36 AM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
These new outfits are a mistake.

BRING BACK THE SANTA OUTFITS!
October 6, 2025 at 10:54 PM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
Given the way he is able to get treats I am pretty sure we should put Max in charge of the Canadian side of USMCA/CUSMA negotiations.

Bark of the Deal.
My dog, Max, a 13.5 year old Cava-Tzu, holding his toy “Mr. Fox” in his mouth, which is his way of signalling that he wants treats.
October 1, 2025 at 1:09 AM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
Max is pretending it is not Monday very hard.
My dog, a 13.5 year old black and white Cava-Tzu is sleeping on the couch. The blankets have mushed his face so it is adorably squished. I can’t get enough of it
September 29, 2025 at 5:05 PM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
I have been really busy this week and coming and going all of the time. Poor Max has been feeling neglected and has now decided he lives on my leg as a result.
My dog, Max, a 13.5 year old black and white Cava-Tzu is clinging to my leg calf while sleeping. We are sitting on my couch. Not a therapy dog so much as a dog that needs therapy.
September 28, 2025 at 5:26 PM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
Okay it has taken me ALL DAY to get to Part 14 and 15 - where the controversial surveillance parts come in. (page 68/127) This bill is complex and really should have been broken up into three pieces of legislation. Canada only passes natsec legislation in omnibus bills and I think that is not great.
A picture of Part 14 of Bill c-2
September 7, 2025 at 9:48 PM
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Update, I thought Max wanted to read Part 6 but he really just wanted snacks.
My dog, Max, a 13.5 year old black and white Cava Tsu looking at me expectingly for snacks but I am offering him Part 6 of Bill C-2 instead. I suspect he is unimpressed.
September 7, 2025 at 2:51 PM
stephaniecarvin.bsky.social
Max cannot contain his excitement.
My dog, Max, a 13.5 year old black and white Cava Tsu is sleeping on a pile of blankets on the couch and is shoving his head in the couch. (He is not excited)
September 7, 2025 at 1:39 PM