The House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research met to study Canada's dual-use and defence research needs. Witnesses included Pierre Seïn Pyun from Bombardier Inc., Dana O'Born and Daniel Perry from the Council of Canadian Innovators, James Yurichuk from Wuxly Defence, Michael McDonald from Colleges and Institutes Canada, Julie Lefebvre and Shannon Quinn from the National Research Council of Canada, and Marc Nantel from Niagara College.
Pierre Seïn Pyun stated that Bombardier contributes $7.4 billion to Canada's GDP and supports close to 50,000 jobs, with over 90% of production exported. He emphasized that Canada is among the few countries able to design, manufacture and certify aircraft, and recommended leveraging this domestic capability for defence, including through the Global 6500 platform used by the NRC and Saab's GlobalEye. He argued that the government should use procurement to drive innovation and that a new, faster procurement culture is needed for innovation acquisition.
Dana O'Born presented survey data showing nearly 430 Canadian dual-use firms exist, yet few sell to the Canadian government, with many finding faster success abroad. She recommended shifting innovation policy toward commercialization and Canadian IP ownership, making new tools like the defence concierge service work for dual-use firms, and streamlining federal procurement to help companies navigate requirements. She noted that a government report found SMEs have reduced self-funded innovation while grant dependency has surged.
James Yurichuk testified that 84% of Canadian Armed Forces members report their kit only sometimes or never fits properly, and that Wuxly has proven it can produce gear quickly, including 40,000 female combat uniforms in six weeks. He recommended defining "Canadian value" to require Canadian ownership, IP, manufacturing and suppliers; building clear pathways among universities, the NRC and SMEs; and valuing total security over lowest upfront cost. He disagreed with the current procurement system, which he said favours a legacy 20-year contract with an American-owned firm.
Daniel Perry argued that the government needs a clearer definition of what it means to be a Canadian company, focusing on where IP is stored and where companies are managed. He said the government's new AI strategy "missed the mark" on targets and measurement. He supported using tools like the ITB program and making capital from BDC more fluid and flexible to help dual-use firms.
Michael McDonald stated that 94% of colleges conduct R and D in emerging technology areas with dual-use potential, and that college research supports nearly 9,000 partnerships annually, mostly with Canadian SMEs. He recommended ensuring colleges are fully eligible for federal defence research funding, investing in an applied research technology adoption stream, establishing a defence-readiness pathway under NRC IRAP, and providing funding for research security requirements. He noted that federal programs like IDEaS currently prevent colleges from leading projects.
Shannon Quinn said the NRC has carried out an average of $29 million in defence-related work with DND annually over the last decade, and that the government committed $996 million to the NRC for the defence industrial strategy. She highlighted NRC work in drones, quantum technologies, biomedical countermeasures and NATO DIANA test centres. She stated that the NRC tracks DEI data to ensure programs are accessible, but that IRAP funding is assessed on merit.
Julie Lefebvre added that the NRC has seen increased interest and representation from women in physical sciences over the past seven years. She said diverse teams lead to better products and innovation, and that the NRC tracks hires to ensure demographics are represented.
Marc Nantel said colleges provide speed in both education and applied research, noting that Niagara College launched the first defence systems engineering technician and technologist programs, available in fall 2026. He recommended that resources be allocated to help colleges and universities upgrade their laboratories to meet security requirements for defence innovation hubs. He supported the request for colleges to be fully eligible for federal defence research funding.
The committee also discussed procedural matters, including the order of agenda items for criteria for federal funding and drafting instructions, with members agreeing to proceed with the criteria first.
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