Defence Forum 2026

The Ottawa Board of Trade Defence Forum is a half-day event focused on advancing awareness, alignment, and opportunity within Canada’s evolving defence and security sector, with a particular emphasis on executing the country’s Defence Industrial Strategy. As the Ottawa–Gatineau region continues to strengthen its position as a national Defence Innovation Hub, the forum will convene leaders from business, government, and academia to examine how regional capabilities can support national priorities and deliver on strategic outcomes.
 
Through focused discussions on emerging technologies, Arctic sovereignty, procurement modernization, and next-generation security, the forum will highlight the critical role of innovation and industry collaboration in building a more resilient and globally competitive defence ecosystem. At a pivotal moment for both economic and national security priorities, the event will provide a platform for insight, dialogue, and partnership that positions the National Capital Region for long-term growth, diversification, and leadership in Canada’s defence sector.

Agenda:

• 8:00 a.m. - Registration & Networking Breakfast
• 8:30 a.m. - Opening Remarks
• 8:50 a.m. - KEYNOTE: Executing Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy - What Happens Now
• 9:20 a.m. - PANEL 1: Autonomous Systems & the New Battlespace - Canada's Opportunity to Lead
• 10:05 a.m. - Networking Break
• 10:25 a.m. - PANEL 2: Arctic Sovereignty - Where Defence, Energy, and Infrastructure Converge
• 11:10 a.m. - PANEL 3: From Innovation to Contract - Fixing Procurement and Scaling Canadian Firms
• 12:00 p.m. - Transition to Action
• 12:10 p.m. - Networking Lunch

Keynote speaker: Lieutenant General Darcy Molstad, CD - Commander of the Canadian Joint Forces Command


 
Lieutenant-General Darcy Molstad was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. He joined the Canadian  
Armed Forces (CAF) in 1996 after completing a Bachelor of Science at the University of Alberta. As a CF-18 pilot, he flew operational tours in Bagotville, Cold Lake, and South Carolina on exchange with the United  States (US) Marine Corps. He commanded 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Bagotville, Deployed Air Task Forces in Iceland, Romania, and in Hawaii, and 3 Wing / Canadian Forces Base Bagotville. As a General Officer, he deployed as Director of the US Combined Air and Space Operations Center in Al Udeid, Qatar, and served a two-year tour as Deputy Commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command, second in command of all deployed CAF personnel. His executive staff experience includes serving as an Attaché in the United Kingdom and Iceland, as the Special Advisor to the Minister of National Defence, as Director General of Strategies, Effects, and Readiness at the Strategic Joint Staff, and most recently as the Chief of Force Development designing the Joint Force of the future. 

Sponsorship opportunities are available and start at $2,500. View all sponsorship opportunities here.

Please contact Christian Robillard at christian.robillard@ottawabot.ca for more information.