When: Tuesday, 4 November 2025
Where: The Sticky Wicket Pub, Wicket Hall, the Strathcona Hotel, 919 Douglas Street
For: This is a CIC member only event
Time: 5 – 7:00 pm (doors open at 5 pm)
Our Speaker: Mr. John Pyric

Our focus:

The Business Council of Canada has said that successive Canadian governments often overlook, take for granted, or simply ignore economic security which they say should be a “central pillar” of Canada’s national security strategy. But finding the right balance is difficult. A regime that is too restrictive risks discouraging foreign investment that is needed to develop new resources and technology. One that is too weak bleeds Canada of home-grown innovation and loses control over commodities vital to a 21st century economy. As it is, one of Canada’s 18 intelligence priorities is countering “Espionage and the Extraction of Knowledge and Information.” This means being on guard for traditional spying and, in particular, stopping attempts by foreign actors to misappropriate Canadian technology and protect strategic resources such as critical minerals. The question is… is Canada ‘on guard’ when it comes to our critical minerals or being taken advantage of?

Our speaker:

John Pyrik is an instructor in the graduate studies program of the Justice Institute of British Columbia. His 27-year career in government began as an intelligence officer for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) where he conducted investigations into terrorism and economic espionage. He then worked as an investigator for the BC Securities Commission on cases of market fraud, broker misconduct, and insider trading. When Canada established FINTRAC, its new anti-money laundering agency, he joined as a senior analyst and team leader. Mid-career he became interested in improving the tradecraft of analysis so he became a scholar-residence at Carleton University. The following year, the Privy Council Office (PCO) chose him to create and manage a new government-wide Intelligence Analyst Learning Program. He later became the first ever “analytic methodologist” at CSIS and their first chief of analytic training.

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To attend this event please email Roger Love at: cicvicpip@gmail.com

The event is open to CIC members only. The cost to attend is $22.50, which will cover a first drink and a round of appetizers.

Confirmation of your registration along with payment instructions will be provided. If you are not able to attend after registering, your registration fee will be reimbursed if your place can be filled from a waiting list. If not, refunds cannot be given.