DEFENCE INDUSTRY: Inno-centre AIMS TO FACILITATE SME ACCESS TO NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Montréal, November 13, 2026 – In its 2026 budget, the Government of Canada places great importance on strengthening the defence industrial base and on greater participation by domestic companies in military procurement. In this context, Inno-centre intends to contribute actively to this transformation, take part in this major economic and industrial undertaking, and help bring about a stronger, more innovative defence industrial base that is more firmly rooted in every region of the country.

Inno-centre | IC Canada aims to ensure that public investments translate into a lasting strengthening of our industrial capabilities, the development of homegrown technologies and greater participation by Quebec companies in national and international markets. In this respect, Quebec already holds an important place in this industrial ecosystem, which benefits from our recognized expertise in aerospace, mission systems, munitions and advanced technologies.

The federal government plans, in particular, to raise to 70% the share of defence procurement awarded to Canadian companies, while extending several business support mechanisms, including the official creation of the Regional Defence Investment Initiative, and strengthening the resources aimed at increasing the country’s industrial and technological capabilities.

It is with this in mind that Inno-centre | IC Canada will mobilize the expertise of its Defence and Security Strategic Council, which it set up several months ago. A unique body in Canada, the Council brings together seasoned figures from the military, industrial and strategic communities, and its mandate is to support the positioning of SMEs in the defence and security sectors. In practice, it helps our companies fully seize the opportunities on offer, notably by ensuring that they are able to understand the needs of prime contractors, meet industry requirements and develop the capabilities needed to take their place in it.

Quotes

“The federal government’s orientations open up significant prospects for Quebec companies, particularly SMEs that have technologies, know-how or manufacturing capabilities that could meet the needs of the defence sector but are not necessarily familiar with its requirements and supply chains.”

Richard Giguère, President
Inno-centre’s Defence and Security Strategic Council

“Canada is giving itself the means to strengthen its sovereignty and strategic autonomy. We must now make sure that Canadian companies have the tools, knowledge and networks they need to contribute to this effort. Our ambition is to play a concrete role in bridging, on the one hand, the needs of the defence sector and, on the other, the immense capabilities and potential of Quebec companies.”

Claude Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer
Inno-centre

About the Defence and Security Strategic Council

Created in 2026, Inno-centre’s Defence and Security Strategic Council brings together individuals with recognized expertise in the military, industrial, government, strategic, research and innovation communities. Its mandate is to advise and guide Inno-centre in its positioning within the Canadian defence and security ecosystem, as well as in developing its interventions with SMEs that wish to enter or grow their presence in it, notably by seizing the opportunities created by the federal government’s new priorities and investments. In practice, the Council helps guide the support strategies for companies wishing to develop their capabilities and join defence sector supply chains.

About Inno-centre | IC Canada

With a team of 135 advisors across Canada, Inno-centre | IC Canada helps companies improve their business performance, notably through strategic planning, finance, human resources, production optimization and digital transformation. For 40 years, Inno-centre | IC Canada has established itself as a key player in Quebec’s economic development. Our hands-on, effective approach has enabled us to work with several hundred companies at various stages of their development. We stand out for the experience and expertise of our experts, the quality of our business advice and the results of our interventions.

Source: Anne-Solène Rioult
Communications and Marketing Manager
Phone: 514 705-5042
Email: [email protected]
www.inno-centre.com