Speaker Series | Canadian Intelligence in the Early Cold War
We invite you to join us for the Diefenbunker’s 2026 Cold War Speaker Series! In this series of free events, hear from experts on a variety of topics to bring you new perspectives on the Cold War.
Topic: Canadian Intelligence in the Early Cold War
Speaker: Alan Barnes
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Event Details:
>> Hosted virtually on Zoom. Advance registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
>> Includes a presentation followed by an audience Q&A.
>> Session will be recorded for educational purposes and made available after the event.
>> REGISTER NOW
Overview
In this lecture, Alan Barnes will speak to the history of Canadian foreign intelligence assessment organizations between 1945 and 1965 and their assessments of the Soviet threat to North America. He will also discuss the role of intelligence in decisions on the CF-105 Avro Arrow project.
About the speaker
Alan Barnes was an analyst and a manager of analysts in the Canadian intelligence community for over 25 years. He served as a military intelligence officer, and as the Middle East analyst in the Political Intelligence Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Mr. Barnes moved to the Intelligence Assessment Secretariat (IAS) of the Privy Council Office when that organization was formed in 1993 and was the Director of the IAS Middle East and Africa Division from 1995 until his retirement in 2011. Mr. Barnes played a key role in the IAS’s efforts to improve analytical tradecraft and in the training of new analysts. Since his retirement Mr. Barnes has continued his work on issues related to intelligence assessment. He is currently researching the history of strategic intelligence in Canada since 1945 and is Project Co-Leader of the Canadian Foreign Intelligence History Project.
Learn more about the other events in the 2026 Cold War Speaker Series!
August 13: Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge
September 24: Allied Intelligence Networks in the Early Cold War
November 19: Details to follow