How can you capitalize on a rapidly expanding market?
The Canadian defence market is experiencing rapid growth: federal investments are increasing, innovation is accelerating, and the priorities of the federal and provincial governments are converging—creating new business opportunities for local companies.
Access to this market remains complex, however, with demanding certifications, lengthy procurement processes, strict compliance standards, data security requirements, and high operational standards.
The Strategic Forum on Defence and Security, organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, enables you to better understand this ecosystem, identify concrete opportunities for your business, and position your organization within emerging supply chains.
Why attend?
- To understand federal and provincial defence priorities
- To identify business opportunities linked to major national programs
- To access strategic insights into market needs
- To develop key partnerships and business relationships with prime contractors (public and private), suppliers, research centres, SMEs, and financial institutions
- To contribute to building a strong and innovative Quebec defence and security ecosystem
Why participate?
Decoding the defence market
Discover key sector trends, federal program needs, and market realities through insights from industry leaders, experts, and companies already active in the field.
Equipping your business
Gain access to practical guidance to better navigate certifications, procurement processes, compliance requirements, and the technological expectations specific to the defence market.
Meeting strategic stakeholders
Engage with prime contractors, SMEs, financial institutions, research centres, and public-sector stakeholders to build lasting partnerships and position yourself within value chains.
Business meetings that make a difference
To turn these exchanges into concrete business opportunities, the Forum relies on an intelligent matchmaking tool. By registering, you will gain access to our PairConnex platform, enabling you to identify, target, and plan your business meetings with relevant partners, experts, and decision-makers, before and during the event.
Who is this forum for?
- SMEs and large companies active in or interested in defence and security
- Suppliers and subcontractors seeking to join the supply chains of major national programs
- Financial institutions and investors involved in strategic projects
- Research centres, universities, and dual-use technology companies
- Prime contractors and public and private decision-makers
Agenda
- 8:00 a.m. – Participant welcome and networking
- 8:30 a.m. – Conferences
- 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Networking lunch
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Panel sessions
- 4:00 p.m. – End of the event
A privileged gateway to the defence ecosystem
Seize this strategic moment to better understand the market, build business connections, and take part in mobilizing a Quebec defence and security ecosystem undergoing significant transformation.
Program overview
Our first speakers
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AtkinsRéalis
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Construction de Défense Canada
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KPMG
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Martine Côté
Regional Service line Leader, Initiatives
Defence Construction Canada
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Jean Patrick Dallaire
Lawyer Partner
Langlois Avocats
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Sébastien Laprise
Lawyer Partner
Langlois Avocats
8:00 a.m. – Welcome, networking coffee
8:30 a.m. – Opening remarks
BLOCK 1
BLOCK
1
Historic investments transforming the global defence and security market
Defence is experiencing a strong acceleration in investment, creating tangible opportunities for businesses. This module will help you understand the priorities of the Canadian government and its allies, as well as the sectors where spending is concentrated. Leave with a clear understanding of the opportunities to seize and the levers to activate in order to effectively position your company within the defence ecosystem.
Global defence landscape: What role for Canada and Quebec?
In a rapidly changing geopolitical context, this forum provides a strategic overview of global defence dynamics, market trends, and investment prospects. It will highlight Canada’s positioning and Montréal’s competitive advantages in addressing the sector’s emerging needs.
Political Exchange
A political discussion on defence priorities and the concrete opportunities for Quebec companies to position themselves in supply chains.
Defence: Key findings from a major national study
Following consultations conducted across the country, this forum draws on the findings of a national report to assess what works and what hinders the execution of defence projects in Canada. Discover how government intentions can translate into real, sustainable capabilities that are accessible to local businesses. Essential insights to better prepare for the defence market.
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Annouk Bissonnette
Executive Director, Strategy
KPMG Canada
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Stephan Drolet
Regional Managing Partner, Quebec
KPMG Canada
35 years in uniform: A field perspective for SMEs and startups looking to succeed in defence
An inspiring testimony drawn from 35 years of service to better understand the practical needs of the Canadian Armed Forces and position defence as a strategic growth lever for SMEs and startups.
What funding and support are available to access an expanding market?
A discussion to better understand the financing and support options in defence, the expectations of public and private institutions, and the conditions needed to enable SMEs to effectively enter this growing market.
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Hubert Bolduc
President
Investissement Québec International
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Olivier Morel
Vice President, Lending and Credit Strategy
Banque Nationale
BLOCK 2
BLOCK
2
Montréal: A strategic industrial ecosystem supporting Canada’s ambitions
Montréal plays a key role in Canada’s defence ambitions. This module provides a clear view of the government’s procurement needs, the rules for accessing public markets, and concrete opportunities in the city’s strong sectors. Leave with the tools to effectively position your company within the defence value chain.
Address by Minister Jean Boulet
The aerospace sector at the heart of the defence industry
Hear from key players to gain a concrete understanding of what major contractors are looking for, how to meet market requirements (certifications, cybersecurity, supply chains), and how to adapt your business model to seize opportunities in aerospace defence.
Building Canada’s strategic infrastructure: A role for our companies
Learn about defence infrastructure needs, the requirements specific to military projects, and the challenges of modernizing existing infrastructure. A practical discussion on how companies can adapt their civil expertise and position themselves for strategic projects in Canada.
Digital security: A strategic imperative for Canadian defence
A discussion to understand cybersecurity challenges in defence, anticipate future needs, and help companies address key expertise and talent issues.
Digital sovereignty and growth: Bell’s approach
Nicholas Payant will explain how Bell structures a digitally sovereign environment that allows global technologies to operate in Canada within a secure framework, while strengthening resilience, modernization, and the engagement of partners in the defence and security ecosystem.
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Nicholas Payant
Senior Vice President, Chief Information Security Officer
Bell Canada
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Doug Russel
Global Aerospace and Defence Lead
Cohere
BLOCK 3
BLOCK
3
From innovations to impact: Mobilizing our businesses to build tomorrow’s capabilities
Discover how innovation can translate into contracts and tangible impact in the defence sector. This module highlights the real journeys of innovative companies that have become suppliers to the federal government. Learn how to leverage emerging technologies and dual-use solutions to access new markets, and turn industrial and technological benefits (ITB) policies into a true growth lever for your business.
Dual-use technologies: Adapting products to capture more markets
Adapt your products for both civilian and military applications to diversify markets, reduce risks, and strengthen growth. This session focuses on defence requirements, the benefits of dual-use technologies, and available support.
Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB): Turning obligations into concrete results
Understand the obligations related to Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) and their impact on defence supply chains. This discussion highlights strategies companies adopt to comply, challenges encountered in the field, and industry expectations regarding the upcoming modernization of the ITB policy.