Objective
Our aim is to elucidate the concept of Industrial Defence Diplomacy in today's context, set against the backdrop of significant geopolitical shifts like the Ukraine conflict. Furthermore, we strive to understand its interplay in a technologically advanced era where the boundaries between commercial and defence technologies are increasingly indistinct.
Monday, December 11, 2023, 0800 – 1700 (ET) in Partnership with the Canadian War Museum, Canadian Defence Review (CDR), and NATO Headquarters (Brussels) and Allied Command Transformation (Norfolk).
Overview
The concept of Industrial Defence Diplomacy (IDD) as an evolving notion will be introduced by the NATO and further elaborated on by the NATO Supreme Allied Command Transformation in their interview segments. IDD and Industry engagements led by the Government of Canada through various government-funded programs all aim to encourage innovation, technological advancements, and shared risk-taking.
By redefining the concept for a more agile and enhanced ecosystem for Canada's defence industry, the Conference seeks to bring together leaders from NATO, the Government of Canada, the finance community, and industry champions into a unifying discussion to achieve a coherent policy position between the various stakeholder groups.
This Conference Event is to be opened by Senior NATO Officials from Brussels and Norfolk (USA) and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), setting the tone for the day with an emphasis on the convergence of innovation and national security.
The first Panel, "Unpacking NATO DIANA," will take a deep dive into NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) Initiative. The discussion will revolve around the application, impact, and future direction of this significant program, helping to demystify its purpose and highlighting the ways in which DIANA will influence the global defence landscape.
The second Panel, "The Role of Finance in Innovation," is to feature a dynamic discussion among finance experts, venture capitalists, and innovators on the symbiotic relationship between financial backing, technological breakthroughs, and security. The conversation will touch on investment strategies, risk mitigation, and fostering an environment conducive to financial and technological growth.
The third and final Panel, "Successful Dual-Use Technology Companies," will see company executives share their experiences and insights on the successful application of dual-use technologies. The conversation's goal is to underscore the potential for these technologies to transform both commercial and defence sectors and highlight the need for cross-industry collaboration.
During the lunch intermission, a Fireside Chat will address the role of "Academia in Technology, Innovation, and National Defence." Respected academicians and industry stalwarts deliberate on the vital part universities play in policy formulation, technological advancements, and defence strategies, emphasizing the need for a robust academia-industry-defence collaboration.
The lunch intermission will be followed by remarks from Transatlantic Emerging Leaders (TEL), Federal Fleet Services and the Business Council of Canada, who will kick-start the afternoon Marketplace segment, an interactive showcase of new technologies and their potential applications in both the commercial and defence sectors.
Program Schedule:
0730
Doors Open and Registration Begins at the Canadian War Museum – 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa
Refreshments Sponsored by Calian
0800-0845
Location: Barney Danson Theatre
• Joint Welcome Remarks and Land Acknowledgment – Goran Samuel Pesic, Chair, PIF, and Aliénor Peyrefitte, President, Transatlantic Emerging Leaders
• Territorial Welcome – Savanna McGregor, Grand Chief of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation Tribal Council and Wolf Lake First Nation Representative
• Traditional Smudging Ceremony – Shirley Commanda, Elder
• Canadian National Anthem – Corporal (Ret’d) Craig Kennedy
• NATO Hymn
• Introductory Speech on the Important Role of War History and Mandate of the Museum– Caroline Dromaguet, President and CEO of the Canadian War Museum and of the Canadian Museum of History
0845-0900
Keynote Speech from Dr. Jaspinder Komal, Assistant Deputy Minister, Defence Research and Development Canada, Department of National Defence, Government of Canada
0900-0925
0925-1015
Panel 1 – Unpacking DIANA: Reinvigorating NATO’s Industry Relations, Sponsored by Saab
Moderator: Fatima Atik, Executive Director, PIF
• Moritz Zimmermann, Chief of Staff (UK regional office), NATO DIANA
• Kadi Silde, Chief Operating Officer (UK regional office), NATO DIANA
• Philippe Hébert, Director General Innovation, DRDC, & Canadian Board Member, NATO DIANA
• Barbara McQuiston, Chairwoman, NATO DIANA Board, US Government
• Duncan Stewart, Partner, Deep Tech Venture Fund, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
1015-1030
1030-1115
Panel 2 - Funding Defence Innovation: The Role of Finance in Enabling Technology Development and Commercialization, Sponsored by NATO DIANA
Moderator: Claude Robillard, Founder and Principal, 43 North Group
• Blake C. Goldring, Executive Chairman, AGF Management Limited
• Thomas Park, Lead Partner, Deep Tech Fund, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
• Catherine Blewett, President, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
• Andrea Traversone, Managing Partner, NATO Innovation Fund
• Glenn Cowan, Founder and Managing Partner, One9
1115-1120
1120-1210
Panel 3 – Industry Leaders from Dual-Use Technology Companies, Sponsored by Samuel Group
Moderator: Vice-Admiral Guy Robinson, Chief of Staff, Allied Command Transformation, NATO
• Sean Roche, National Security Director, AWS
• Steve Patrick, Vice-President, Bombardier Defense
• Jeff Tasseron, Director of Business Development & Strategy, Defence & Security, CAE
• Kevin Ford, President and CEO, Calian Group
• Chris Pogue, President and CEO, Thales Canada
• Jim Landon, President, ATCO Frontec
1210
Closing Remarks by Brett Kitchen, Publisher, Canadian Defence Review Magazine
1215-1300
Location: Lobby
Transition from Barney Danson Theatre to Lobby for a Lunch Sponsored by CAE with Light Refreshments and Drinks
1215-1245
Fireside Chat – Academia in Technology, Innovation, and National Defence, Sponsored by Quantox Canada
Moderator: Dr. Philippe Lagassé, Barton Chair, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University
• Aaron Shull, Managing Director and General Counsel, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
• Dr. Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé, Full Professor, Bishop’s University
• Dr. Alex S. Wilner, Associate Professor of International Affairs Expertise Deterrence Theory and Strategic Studies, Carleton University
• Roman Shimonov, CEO of Roshel Armored Vehicles and Executive Master of Business (EMBA) Program, University of Toronto
1300-1305
1305-1330
Presentation by John Schmidt, President and CEO, Federal Fleet Services
1330-1335
1335-1340
1340-1440
Special Marketplace Kick-off by Goldy Hyder, President and CEO, Business Council of Canada
1440-1700
Location: Lobby
Marketplace Begins
Open floor meetings between participating companies, financers, NATO, and Government of Canada officials
1700
End of Program
Morning
0730 Event Opening
Doors Open and Registration Begins at the Canadian War Museum – 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa
0800 Sponsored Refreshments Served
Afternoon
1115-1200 Panel 3 – Industry Leaders from Dual-Use Technology CompaniesModerator: Vice-Admiral Guy Robinson, Chief of Staff, Allied Command Transformation, NATO
• Sean Roche, National Security Director, AWS
• Steve Patrick, Vice-President, Bombardier Defense
• France Hébert, Vice-President and General Manager, Defence & Security Canada, CAE
• Kevin Ford, President and CEO, Calian Group (pending confirmation)
• Chris Pogue, President and CEO, Thales Canada
• Richard Cohen, Strategic Consultant, ATCO Frontec
1200 Closing Remarks by Brett Kitchen, Publisher, Canadian Defence Review Magazine
0815-0830 Location: Barney Danson Theatre
• Welcome Remarks – Goran Samuel Pesic, Chair, PIF
• Land Acknowledgment and Smudging Ceremony – Wolf Lake First Nation Chief Lisa Robinson* and Grand Chief of the Algonquin Nation Programs and Services Secretariat
• Introductory Speech on the Important Role of War History, Mandate of the Museum, and Introduction to the Minister of National Defence – Caroline Dromaguet, President and CEO, Canadian War Museum
1200-1300 Location: Lobby
Transition from Barney Danson Theatre to Lobby for a Sponsored Lunch with Light Refreshments and Drinks
0830-0845 Keynote Speech from Government of Canada – The Honourable Bill Blair*, Minister of National Defence (pending confirmation from the Minister’s Office)
0845-0900 Conference Opening
· Interview with Mircea Geoană*, NATO Deputy Secretary, NATO (In-person/Online/Pre-recorded Video) with Vice-Admiral (Ret'd) Mark Norman
· Interview with Général Philippe Lavigne, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) (Online Participation/Pre-recorded Video) with Vice-Admiral (Ret'd) Mark Norman
1215-1245 Fireside Chat – Academia in Technology, Innovation, and National Defence
Moderator: Dr. Philippe Lagassé, Barton Chair, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University
• Aaron Shull, Managing Director and General Counsel, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
• Dr. Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé, Full Professor, Bishop University
• Dr. Alex S. Wilner Ph.D., Associate Professor of International Affairs Expertise Deterrence Theory and Strategic Studies, Carleton University
0900-0945 Panel 1 – Unpacking DIANA: Reinvigorating NATO’s Industry Relations
Moderator: Fatima Atik, Executive Director, PIF
• Wendy Gilmour*, Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment, NATO
• Deeph Chana*, Managing Director (UK regional office), NATO DIANA
• Philippe Hébert, Director General Innovation, DRDC, & Canadian Board Member, NATO DIANA
• Barbara McQuiston, Chairwoman, NATO DIANA Board, US Government
• Duncan Stewart, Partner, Deep Tech Venture Fund, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
1300-1315 Introduction to Guest Speaker by Goran Samuel Pesic, Chair, PIF
NATO's Public Diplomacy: Engaging with the Private Sector
Marie-Doha Besancenot, Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, NATO
0945-1015 Sponsored Coffe Break
1015-1100 Panel 2 - Funding Defence Innovation: The Role of Finance in Enabling Technology Development and Commercialization
Moderator: Claude Robillard, Founder and Principal, 43 North Group
• Blake C. Goldring,Exeutive Chairman, AGF Management Limited
• Thomas Park, Partner, Deep Tech Venture Fund, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
• Catherine Blewett, President, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
• The Honourable Rona Ambrose*, Deputy Chairwoman, TD Securities
• Andrea Traversone, Managing Partner, NATO Innovation Fund
• Glenn Cowan, Founder and Managing Partner, One9
1315-1330 Canadian Business Industry Remarks and Introduction to the ISED Minister – Goldy Hyder, President and CEO, Business Council of Canada
1330-1400 Special Marketplace Kick-off Speaker - The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) (pending confirmation from the Minister's Office)
1400-1600 Marketplace Begins
Location: Lobby
Open floor meetings between participating companies, financers, NATO, and Government of Canada officials
1600 End of Program
Program Schedule:
0730: Doors Open and Registration Begins at the Canadian War Museum – 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa
0800: Sponsored Refreshments Served
0815-0830: Location: Barney Danson Theater
Welcome Remarks – Goran Samuel Pesic, Chair, PIF
Land Acknowledgment and Smudging Ceremony – Wolf Lake First Nation Chief Lisa Robinson and Grand Chief of the Algonquin Nation Programs and Services Secretariat (invited)
Introductory Speech on the Important Role of War History, Mandate of the Museum, and Introduction to the Minister of National Defence – Caroline Dromaguet, President and CEO, Canadian War Museum
0830-0845: Keynote Speech from Government of Canada – The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence (invited)
0845-0900: Conference Opening
Interview with Mircea Geoană, NATO Deputy Secretary, NATO
Interview with Général Philippe Lavigne, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT)
0900-0945: Panel 1 – Unpacking DIANA: Reinvigorating NATO’s Industry Relations
0945-1015: Sponsored Coffee Break
1015-1100: Panel 2 – Funding Defence Innovation: The Role of Finance in Enabling Technology Development and Commercialization
1100-1115 Health Break
1115-1200: Panel 3 – Industry Leaders from Dual-Use Technology Companies
1200: Closing Remarks by Brett Kitchen, Publisher, Canadian Defence Review Magazine
1200-1300: Location: Lobby
Transition from Barney Danson Theatre to Lobby for a Sponsored Lunch with Light Refreshments and Drinks
1215-1245: Fireside Chat – Academia in Technology, Innovation, and National Defence
1300-1315: Introduction to Guest Speaker by Goran Samuel Pesic, Chair, PIF
NATO's Public Diplomacy: Engaging with the Private Sector
1315-1330: Canadian Business Industry Remarks and Introduction to the ISED Minister – Goldy Hyder, President and CEO, Business Council of Canada
1330-1400: Special Marketplace Kick-off Speaker – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) (invited)
1400-1600: Location: Lobby
Marketplace Begins
Open floor meetings between participating companies, financers, NATO, and Government of Canada officials
1600: Program Ends
* Disclaimer: All Speakers listed in the Program have been invited by the Event Organizers to participate. Individuals are subject to their availability.
Nota Bene:
• Paid Underground Parking available at the Canadian War Museum.
• Showroom set up by Marketplace participating companies to occur on Sunday, December 10, 2023, 1500-1800.
Overview
• The Event is open to those who have registered. The morning half will take place in the Barney Danson Theatre; then,Participants will move for Lunch in the Main Lobby where the Marketplace will commence.
• This premier Event will assemble diverse thought leaders and stakeholders from industry, banking, finance, Canadian and foreign government officials, think tanks, and academia, totaling approximately 330 attendees.
• The Event will feature Keynote Speakers with a Marketplace segment and networking reception.
Location:
This event will be held at the Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa, ON K1A 0M8
Points of Contact:
• Aliénor Peyrefitte, alienor.peyrefitte@policyinsights.ca, (819) 955-1799, Conference Organizer
• Jonas LeBlanc-Wilmink, jlw@samuel.associates, (819) 444-8485, Marketplace Registration Contact
• Louis Romet, louis.romet@policyinsights.ca, (438) 462-1957, Conference Registration Contact
• Brett Kitchen (CDR Publisher), brett@canadiandefencereview.com, (416) 569-4480, Event Sponsorship and Media Contact
