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.
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.
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.
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.
SME-Focused Breakout Clinics presented by BDC
Your business could be part of Canada's growing defence supply chain. Beyond specialized military equipment, defence buyers need capabilities in manufacturing, technology, and industrial services, creating opportunities for businesses across a wide range of sectors.
These practical, SME-focused clinics will help you understand what defence buyers look for, navigate supplier requirements and identify the steps your business can take to enter this growing market.
Apply Now
9:30 – 10:00 AM: Registration and Networking Breakfast
10:00 – 10:35 AM: Clinic Round 1
Choose one of three tracks: TRACK A TRACK B TRACK C Getting Cleared
Which security clearances, export controls and cybersecurity certifications apply to your business, where companies get stuck, and how long it really takes.
David Cloutier Senior Business Advisor, BDC Supply Chain Qualification
What large contractors check before they take on a new supplier: onboarding documents, quality and cybersecurity standards, and a capability statement that gets you noticed.
Defence Program Channels
Explore defence programs and associated funding opportunities and resources to help businesses enter and grow within the sector.
Ahmad Khorchid
Director of Innovation Operations, Defence Research and Development Canada
Short one-to-one sessions with defence, finance and compliance experts. Bring the questions the clinics raised for your business.
Bart Hollants, Head of NATO Innovation Network & European Engagement
11:55 AM – 12:00 PM: Closing Remarks and Next Steps
What to do in the next 90 days, and the programs and contacts that can help.
SME participants receive exclusive access to the full-day event, including the morning breakout clinics and the afternoon conference, with networking opportunities alongside leaders from government, industry, and finance, for a special rate of just $99.
Afternoon Conference Schedule
12:00 PM – 12:40 PM: Registration and Networking Lunch Sponsored by TD Bank Group
12:40 PM – 12:45 PM: Welcome Remarks
12:45 PM – 12:50 PM: Symposium Partner Remarks
Gino Caputo, EVP, Commercial and Industrial Banking, Canadian Business Banking TD Bank Group
12:50 PM – 1:05 PM: Minister Address - Defence, Industry and Sovereignty: Canada’s Strategic Imperative
1:05 PM – 1:15 PM: Lightning Talk: From Ambition to Execution: What Industry Is Telling Us
Hear insights from KPMG's cross-sector client base on the opportunities and constraints shaping Canada's defence industrial base. From procurement complexity and access to capital to production capacity and supply chain resilience, these insights provide a data-driven view of industry readiness.
Ali Jaffery, Chief Economist and Partner, KPMG Canada
1:15 PM – 1:25 PM: From Constraint to Capacity: Catalytic Capital for Canada’s Defence Industrial Base
Hear how BDC is helping Canadian businesses move from readiness to growth by addressing the financing challenges that limit expansion. The discussion will explore how SMEs can build capacity, invest in innovation, and position themselves to compete for opportunities created by Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy.
Peter Dawe, SVP, Defence Strategy, BDC
1:25 PM – 1:35 PM: Lightning Talk: From Strategy to Scale: The Role of the Defence Investment Agency
1:35 PM – 2:15 PM: Procurement by Design: The Unexpected Business of Equipping Canada
Fabiola Stevens, Executive Director, Ontario Defence Association
2:15 PM – 2:50 PM: Financing Defence Growth: Building the Capital Stack for Canadian Industry
Strengthening Canada’s defence industrial base requires financing solutions that help companies invest, expand and scale. Bringing together leaders from commercial banking and institutional capital, this panel will explore how debt, growth capital and private investment can support infrastructure, acquisitions, working capital and major defence contracts. The discussion will examine how Canada’s financial system can better support SMEs and established firms in building long-term defence industrial capacity and sovereignty.
Kevin Reed, Former Founding President and COO, Defence Sovereign Resilience Bank (DSRB)
Moderator: Laura Wood, Partner, Government and Public Sector; Global Defence Leader, PwC Canada
2:50 PM – 3:10 PM Snacks and Networking Break
3:10 PM – 3:30 PM: Minister Remarks- Ontario’s Defence Advantage
3:30 PM – 3:40 PM: Lightning Talk: From Capability to Exports: The Value of G2G Contracting
As allied governments expand defence investment, Canadian firms have a growing opportunity to bring their capabilities to international markets. This lightning talk will examine how the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) supports qualified suppliers through government-to-government contracting, helping them navigate foreign procurement processes, build credibility with government buyers and scale exports that strengthen Canada’s defence industrial base.
Robert (Bobby) Kwon, President and CEO, Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC)
3:40 PM – 4:15 PM: Panel Discussion: What Primes Actually Want: Anticipating Demand, Building Canadian Capacity
As Canada increases defence investment and prioritizes domestic supply, where will prime contractors need new Canadian capabilities?
Hear directly from defence contractors about emerging supply-chain gaps, sourcing priorities and opportunities for Canadian businesses. Learn what buyers look for in suppliers, when to engage and how to prepare for procurement requirements, helping SMEs and established companies position themselves for future defence contracts.
John Edelman, VP, Defence, Canada, AtkinsRéalis
Houssam Alaouie, Global Head of Collaboration and Government Programs and Academic Partnerships, CAE Inc.
Moderator: Robert Luke, CEO, eCampusOntario
4:15 PM – 4:55 PM: Panel Discussion: From Commercial Strength to Defence Capability: What It Takes to Deliver
Chris Lane, SVP of Defence, EllisDon Eric Dion, CCO, Damera Defence James Yurichuk, CEO, Wuxly 4:55 PM – 5:00 PM: Closing Remarks
Giles Gherson, President & CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade
Global Head of Collaboration and Government Programs and Academic Partnerships, CAE Inc.
LinkedIn Gino Caputo
EVP, Commercial and Industrial Banking, Canadian Business Banking, TD Bank Group
Peter Dawe
Senior Vice President, Defence Strategy, BDC
Eric Dion CCO, Damera Defence John Edelman VP, Defence, Canada, AtkinsRéalis Senior Innovation Advisor Innovation Canada Bart Hollants
Innovation Broker, NATO Headquarters Supreme Allied Command Transformation (HQ SACT)
Ali Jaffery Chief Economist and Partner, KPMG Canada Robert (Bobby) Kwon
President and CEO, Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC)
Chris Lane Senior Vice President, Defence, EllisDon Robert Luke CEO, eCampusOntario Fabiola Stevens Executive Director Ontario Defence Association James Yurichuk CEO, Wuxly Members Single Ticket: $349 Table of 10: $3490 Non-Members Single Ticket: $499 Table of 10: $4990 SMEs Single Ticket: $99 Symposium Partner AtkinsRéalis TD Bank Group Event Partner PwC Canada University of Toronto Host Partner Bell Canada eCampus Ontario EllisDon Innovation Corridor Council Event Series
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.
The main afternoon programme runs noon–5:30 p.m. The published member/non-member rates above apply to the afternoon programme. Qualifying SMEs have a separate morning-clinic-plus-afternoon offer beginning 9:30 a.m.; that conditional offer is not the general afternoon price. Confirm taxes, eligibility and final registration terms with the Board of Trade.