C.D. Howe Institute Conference: Defence Budgeting, Procurement and Recruitment

C.D. Howe Institute In-Person Conference

As global tensions rise and allied expectations grow, Canada is reassessing its defence priorities. Questions about how we fund, equip, and sustain our armed forces have taken on new urgency.

On November 20, the C.D. Howe Institute will bring together senior policymakers, industry leaders, military officials, and experts to examine how Canada can strengthen the fiscal, industrial, and human capital foundations of its defence policy in a more complex security environment.

The event will include discussions on the hard fiscal choices necessary to increase Canada’s defence spending to levels expected by NATO, as well as the modernization of Canada’s defence procurement process—long criticized for its inefficiencies, delays, and lack of transparency. Panel discussions will examine how streamlined procurement can not only enhance readiness and interoperability with NATO and NORAD, but also support Canadian innovation and domestic defence industries.

Finally, there will also be an opportunity to discuss the most important part of any military: the people. How can we recruit the best and brightest, support soldiers’ families, and ensure the Canadian Armed Forces have the tools they need to succeed?

Building on the Institute’s long-standing strengths, this conference will chart a realistic, forward-looking roadmap for Canada's defence in an era of heightened global instability.

C.D. Howe Institute events and webinars are open to members and their guests.

Please follow this link or contact events@cdhowe.org to register.

Member price: $199

Table of 6: $1,499

Agenda

Registration and Breakfast

Session 1: Rethinking Canada’s Defence Policy: The Elements of a Renewed Vision

Keynote Address: Strengthening Canada’s Armed Forces for the Future

Session 2: Meeting the 3.5% Challenge: What are Fiscal Options for Canada?

Session 3: Getting Procurement Right

         (LUNCH) Session 3a: Procurement Part 1 – Building a Canadian Defence Industry

         Session 3b: Procurement Part 2 – Fixing What’s Broken

Session 4: From Vision to Action: Delivering on Canada’s Defence Renewal

Speakers:

Adam Gryfe, Chief Operating Officer, Canadian Space Mining Corporation

Alexandre Laurin, Vice-President and Director of Research, C.D. Howe Institute

Arjun Grewal, Founder, Arctic Training Centre; Canadian Armed Forces

Cheryl Hacking, Chief Executive Officer, IMT Group

Colin Busby, Director Policy Engagement, C.D. Howe Institute

Duncan McSporran, Co-Founder and CEO, Vimy Forge

François Fleury, Chief Warrant Officer Military Personnel Command

Ian Whytock, Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Tidal Venture Partners

Jeff Tasseron, Director Strategy and Innovation, CAE

Lieutenant-General Erick Simoneau, Command of Military Personnel Command

Michael Langlais, Vice President, Risk Development, Commissionaires Great Lakes

Mike Greenley, Chief Executive Officer, MDA Space

Natasha McLean, Managing Director, Canada, Serco

Nicholas Dahir, Research Officer, C.D. Howe Institute

Professor Adam Chapnick, Royal Military College of Canada

Ravi Singh, Director General, Defence Industrial Strategy, Department of National Defence

Scott Millar, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy), Department of National Defence Canada

Stephanie Shapiro, Chief Operating Officer, Together We Stand Foundation

The Honourable Peter MacKay, former Minister of National Defence

Tim Murphy, Executive Vice President & Chief Strategic Affairs Officer, Aecon

William Robson, President and CEO, C.D. Howe Institute