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EVENT

Canada's defence future: Building a stronger industrial base

September 24, 2026

1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET

Register your interest

Montréal
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
1000 De La Gauchetière St W
Mezzanine
Montréal, QC
H3B 5H4

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Canada's defence sector is entering a period of unprecedented transformation. Increased defence spending, evolving procurement priorities, strengthened NATO commitments, and growing demand for domestic manufacturing capabilities are creating significant opportunities across the defence ecosystem.

BLG is pleased to invite you to an exclusive forum bringing together leaders from industry, the military, finance, infrastructure, and professional services to explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of Canada's defence industrial base.

Keynote speaker

Wendy Hadwen, Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy
Defence Investment Agency

Ms. Wendy Hadwen was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy) at the Defence Investment Agency in July 2026.

Prior to assuming her current duties, she served as Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy-Industry), where she spearheaded the development and implementation of Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy. Before joining the Department of National Defence, she was Communications Security Establishment Canada's Deputy Chief responsible for Strategic Policy, Planning and Partnerships. She has also held executive positions at Natural Resources Canada, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Ernst & Young, and the Security and Intelligence Secretariat of the Privy Council Office.

Since joining Foreign Affairs in 1994, working on rapid reaction capacity for international peacekeeping operations, Ms. Hadwen has dedicated the majority of her career to peace and security issues, including implementing the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines, establishing Canada's Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program, and advancing international non-proliferation and nuclear security initiatives.

Ms. Hadwen holds a Master of Arts in War Studies from King's College London and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and History from the University of Toronto.

Forum Topics

Following the forum, we invite you to continue the conversation at a networking cocktail reception. This relaxed setting will provide an opportunity to connect with fellow industry leaders, government representatives, and BLG professionals while discussing the issues shaping Canada's defence future.

Please respond by September 21.

CPD information

QC | Please note, the concept of “recognition” or “accreditation” has been abolished. By doing this, the Barreau is trying to make it easier for lawyers to claim mandatory CLE credits without a formal accreditation process. It is now up to individual lawyers to determine the eligibility of a training activity and to declare the hours in their “Dossier de formation en ligne”.

If you have any questions about this event, please email [email protected].