Press Release
Strategic Forum on Defence: Strengthening Canada’s Technological Sovereignty by Mobilizing the Innovation Ecosystem
Québec City, September 23, 2025 – The Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ) and the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), in partnership with the Department of National Defence (DND), today hosted the strategic forum “Connexion Défense.” Created in the wake of the federal government’s new ambitions in defence and security, this initiative brought together around one hundred experts from the private, public, academic, and nonprofit sectors, committed to strengthening Canada’s technological sovereignty in the current context of geopolitical turbulence.
A stronger strategic positioning
For Québec’s innovation ecosystem, this event was an opportunity to showcase a wide range of capacities that complement and support a world-class industry and academic sector. Technological and scientific expertise, access to state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure, as well as extensive experience in collaborative research and development, are among the many assets that Québec can mobilize. This discussion, focused on perspectives related to national defence, helped enhance the ecosystem’s positioning and laid the foundation for a broader dialogue that will inspire participating organizations to engage now in high-value strategic actions.
Complementarities that drive innovation
The forum’s program provided structured presentations that highlighted the breadth and complementarity of Québec’s expertise. Addressing priority themes, speakers discussed drones, advanced materials, critical minerals, as well as quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cybernetics. Networking sessions also fostered new relationships between stakeholders and organizations determined to seize opportunities and implement solutions that support innovation, competitiveness, and market diversification in defence.
Quotes
“At CRIAQ, we celebrate the outstanding quality of our innovation ecosystem and are proud to contribute to expanding collaborations in support of government objectives. We believe it is essential to offer our members and partners opportunities to exchange on defence perspectives in order to contribute to the technological sovereignty effort. This initiative, carried out jointly with INRS and DND, confirms that we already have all the assets needed to take action.”, Guillaume Côté, PhD, President and CEO, CRIAQ
CRIAQ – Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec
www.criaq.aero
The Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ) is a unique model of collaborative aerospace research led by companies of all sizes in partnership with universities and research centers. Its mission is to enhance the competitiveness of the aerospace industry by stimulating business innovation through collaborative R&D. CRIAQ also aims to develop a new generation of innovators to strengthen Québec’s technological leadership in cutting-edge aerospace applications: digital aviation, future air mobility, and sustainable aerospace.
SOURCE CRIAQ
Contact : Stéphanie Dion, Director, Communications and Engagement, stephanie.dion@criaq.aero, (514) 825-5145
