Moderator: Laurie Balan  

Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) represents one of the most significant shifts in federal defence and industrial policy in decades - one that directly impacts the future of Arctic maritime capability and the next generation of Canadian-built vessels.  

The strategy emphasizes strengthening northern and Arctic defence, deepening collaboration with provinces, territories, and Indigenous rights holders, and accelerating domestic shipbuilding to meet Canada’s evolving security and operational needs. It also commits the federal government to awarding 70% of defence contracts to Canadian companies, reinforcing local shipyard capacity and sustaining a resilient national supply chain. 

This session is moderated by Genoa Design and brings together leaders from Seaspan Shipyards, Chantier Davie, the Arctic Economic Development Corp, and the Government of Canda  (TBD) to explore how DIS is reshaping the industrial, operational, and workforce foundations needed for Arctic readiness.