Description
Canadian Defence & SMEs: Capturing a Growing Market Without Being a Military Company
Wednesday, February 25 | 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Town Hall of Ville Mont-Royal, Schofield Room
In-person event | Presentation in French | Limited seating
Canada is accelerating the structuring of its defence industrial strategy. In concrete terms, this is opening doors for SMEs that have never worked in defence—particularly those developing products, components, software, or technologies with both civilian and defence applications.
This conference offers a clear reading of the current context and an actionable path forward: how to position yourself, where to start, and which pitfalls to avoid.
Who is this conference for?
Target audience
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Manufacturing SMEs (components, materials, equipment, furniture, electronics, mechatronics, etc.)
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Technology and innovative SMEs (software, AI, sensors, cybersecurity, data, telecom, etc.)
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Companies with civilian offerings that want to assess whether defence could be a realistic opportunity
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Ecosystem stakeholders (financial institutions, advisors, development organizations, innovation centres)
Why attend?
Because defence is no longer a closed market: it is increasingly open to civilian-origin solutions—but the rules of the game are different.
You will leave with:
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A clear and accessible update on the evolution of Canada’s defence industrial strategy
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An overview of the opportunities: why they matter to the market and how procurement actually works
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A framework to quickly assess whether your offering is “defence-compatible”
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A list of common pitfalls that can cost SMEs 6 to 18 months (compliance, security, procurement cycles, documentation, positioning)
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Practical reference points to structure a realistic, phased entry plan aligned with your actual capabilities
What you will learn
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Why the defence market is increasingly interested in Civil & Defence solutions
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How an SME can position itself progressively without having to “reinvent itself” overnight
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Where to start: first steps, best practices, and commercial posture
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What to avoid: common mistakes in compliance, security, product claims, and unrealistic timelines
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How to turn a civilian offering into a credible proposal for a demanding ecosystem
Canada is currently developing its very first defence industrial strategy. Several investments, programs, and policy directions are already taking shape, creating new opportunities for Canadian SMEs—particularly those developing products or technologies with dual civilian and defence use.
This conference provides a clear and accessible update on the current landscape, the drivers behind this strategy, and—most importantly—what it concretely means for SMEs that do not come from the military sector.
Through an action-oriented discussion led by an experienced speaker, you will discover how to approach this market methodically: positioning, first steps, operational realism, and key success factors.
Schedule (7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.)
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7:30 – 8:00: Participant, Breakfast arrival and welcome
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8:00 – 8:10: Opening remarks and context
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8:10 – 9:10: Conference / structured discussion: opportunities, SME trajectory, pitfalls to avoid
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9:10 – 9:25: Audience Q&A
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9:25 – 9:30: Conclusion and next steps
Moderator & Speaker
Brigadier-General (Retired) Richard Giguère, OMM, MSM, CD
President, Military Institute of Québec
Brigadier-General (Ret.) Richard Giguère has over 35 years of experience in the Canadian Army, including deployments to Germany, Haiti, Kabul, and Kandahar. He also served as Military Attaché at the Canadian Embassy in the United States (Washington, D.C.).
Throughout his career, he commanded the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment; Land Force Quebec Area (now the 2nd Canadian Division); Joint Task Force (East); and the Canadian Forces College (Toronto), whose mission is to prepare military and civilian leaders to address complex defence and security challenges.
Since retiring, he has taught and lectured at Université Laval, ENAP, and various leadership training organizations. A graduate of the École interarmées de Défense de Paris (War College), he has also completed programs at the Harvard Kennedy School and the United States Joint and Combined Warfighting School. Co-founder of Ducimus Groupe Conseil, he specializes in executive leadership development.
Limited seating (registration required)