Each year, CANSEC brings together defence leaders, government officials, major contractors, and innovators from across Canada to discuss the future of defence and security. For our Defence Industry Liaison, Trevor Friesen, attending was less about following industry headlines and more about understanding where new opportunities may be emerging for Edmonton companies and the founders building them.
Conversations highlighted several themes that stood out: a growing focus on Canadian innovation, increasing attention on Arctic and northern operations, and continued efforts to create pathways for new companies to participate in the defence ecosystem.
While not every Edmonton founder sees themselves as part of the defence sector, many may already be building technologies that align with challenges being discussed at a national level.
Here are a few of key takeaways and why they matter for Edmonton’s tech and innovation community.
Canada Is Looking for More Canadian Innovation
One of the strongest themes throughout the event was Canada’s commitment to strengthening domestic capability.
The federal government announced several initiatives aimed at modernizing how industry engages with defence, including a Defence Concierge Service, a new Defence Advisory Forum, faster approval processes, and reforms to Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) programs.
There was also significant discussion around increasing the value placed on Canadian research and development, intellectual property creation, and work performed within Canada.
The takeaway wasn’t simply about policy changes, it was about the signal being sent to innovators.
The North Is Becoming Increasingly Important
Another recurring theme was Canada’s growing focus on Arctic sovereignty and northern operations.
From long-range surveillance and autonomous systems to mobility solutions and infrastructure, many conversations centered on technologies that can operate effectively in remote and challenging environments.
That immediately felt relevant to Edmonton.
As a gateway to the North, Edmonton is home to companies with expertise in remote operations, industrial technology, environmental monitoring, logistics, and operating in extreme conditions.
New Pathways Are Emerging
Historically, the defence sector has been difficult for new companies to navigate. Security requirements, procurement processes, and established industry relationships can create barriers for smaller firms and first-time entrants.
While those realities haven’t disappeared there were repeated conversations about reducing friction and creating more opportunities for innovative companies to engage with the sector.
That could mean working directly with the government, partnering with larger prime contractors, or supplying technologies that support broader defence and security priorities.
For Edmonton founders, it may be worth asking a simple question: Could the technology you’re building solve a problem beyond the market you’re currently serving?
What Edmonton Unlimited Wants to Learn
One of the reasons Edmonton Unlimited has representation at events like CANSEC is to better understand where markets are heading and how Edmonton companies can connect to emerging opportunities.
But just as importantly, we want to understand what local innovators are building and where they are running into challenges.
Are there barriers preventing companies from accessing new customers? Are there technologies with applications that haven’t been fully explored? Are there opportunities that founders don’t know exist?
The best way to answer those questions is through conversation. If you’re an Edmonton founder looking to explore the defence and dual-use sector, connect with Trevor Friesen and start the conversation. The insights we gain from our community help us better support local innovators—and may reveal opportunities you haven’t yet considered.
