Become a Member
Member Sign In Become a Member

The Defence Economy: How to Break In and Capture your Share  

Ottawa has committed $81.8 billion to defence and is trying to direct more of that spend to Canadian firms. As governments strengthen domestic manufacturing, secure supply chains, and invest in sovereign capabilities, the Toronto region’s businesses have a generational opportunity to participate in one of the world's fastest-growing industrial sectors.
Register

Member Price: $349

Non-Member Price: $499

Presenting Partner:

Turbine

The Quay, 100 Queens Quay East, 3rd Floor

In Person

Canada's newly released Defence Industrial Strategy marks a fundamental shift in how the country will build industrial capacity, strengthen supply chains, and support long-term economic competitiveness. Backed by a commitment to invest $81.8 billion in defence and increase the participation of Canadian firms in defence procurement, the strategy creates new opportunities for businesses across advanced manufacturing, aerospace, technology, capital markets, and research. 

The Toronto Region is uniquely positioned to help lead this transformation. As Canada's financial centre and home to one of the country's largest concentrations of advanced manufacturers, innovative SMEs, post-secondary institutions, and technology companies, the region has the capabilities needed to strengthen domestic production, develop dual-use technologies, and build globally competitive industrial supply chains. 

This event examines Canada's defence economy through a broader industrial and economic lens. From procurement and investment to innovation, talent, and advanced manufacturing, discussions will explore how industry and government can work together to accelerate execution and position Canadian firms for long-term success. 

Whether you're manufacturing advanced components, investing in industrial growth, developing new technologies, or helping shape public policy, this is the conversation connecting Canada's next generation of industrial opportunity. 

Register

Discussions will focus on:

  • Where the Toronto Region Fits: How Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy translates into contracts in the Toronto region.  
  • Financing Industrial Growth: Who is lending and investing, what can be done to unlock more investment, and how growing firms scale production, commercialize innovation, and accelerate investment as they grow in the defence sector. 
  • Strengthening Defence Supply Chains: Examining how advanced manufacturing, and technology companies can enter defence markets, build resilient supply chains, and navigate procurement and regulator processes.
  • Advancing Dual-Use Innovation: Exploring how technologies including AI, robotics, semiconductors, advanced materials, and aerospace are strengthening both Canada's commercial economy and national security. 

Attend if you're…

  • An executive from an industrial company looking to expand into defence markets, strengthen supply chains, or scale production. 
  • A technology, innovation, or research leader developing dual-use technologies, commercialization pathways, or partnerships with industry, government, or post-secondary institutions. 
  • An investor, lender, private equity, pension fund, or capital markets participant seeking industrial investment opportunities in Canada’s growing defence economy. 
  • A government, defence, economic development, procurement, or policy leader working to strengthen Canada's industrial capacity, sovereign capabilities, and long-term competitiveness. 
  • A small or medium-sized business ready to make defence your next sector, and looking for practical ways to break in.

SME-Focused Breakout Clinics Registration

Are you a small or medium-sized business currently working in or looking to break into Canada's defence industry? Register to join our SME-Focused Breakout Clinics presented by BDC, an interactive morning program featuring expert-led breakout sessions and speed mentoring designed to help you better understand the defence marketplace and prepare for future opportunities.

SME participants receive exclusive access to the full-day event, including the morning breakout clinics and the afternoon event, with networking opportunities alongside leaders from government, industry, and finance, for a special rate of just $99.

Choose two clinics that fit where you are:

  • Track A: Getting Cleared. New to defence? Learn which security clearances and certifications apply to your business, how long they take, and where companies trip up.
  • Track B: Supply Chain Qualification. Have a product or capability ready? Hear directly from a major defence contractor what they look for in suppliers, and how to write a capability statement that gets you considered.
  • Track C: International Channels. A deep tech or research-heavy firm? Explore funding and accelerator programs beyond procurement, including Canada’s defence innovation program and the NATO and European Union pathways.

Fields marked with an asterisk are required.

Symposium Partner

Event Partner

Innovation Corridor Council Event Series

Innovationcorridorlogo

The Board has partnered with fellow anchor members of Canada’s Innovation Corridor Business Council—the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo and Hamilton Chambers of Commerce—on this important event. Together, we convene focused, high-impact sessions on priorities like transit, housing, innovation, and trade to advance shared advocacy goals across the Corridor. The Corridor generates over 18% of Canada’s GDP and is second only to Silicon Valley in start-up density, making it one of the country’s most powerful economic engines.