DEFSEC Atlantic 2026
PRESENTED BY
HALIFAX CONVENTION CENTRE :: HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA :: OCTOBER 6 – 8, 2026
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Presentation Series
Last Revised October 3, 2026
All presentations and keynotes this year will take place in the ACADA Presentation Pavilion located on the Ballroom Level of the Halifax Convention Centre. The Speakers in the Presentation Series will be posted here as they are confirmed in the time leading up to the event. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact us.
Wed, Oct 7 - 9:30 am to 10:00 am
| Presenter: Chris Pogue (President Defence and Space - Calian) |
| Canada does not lack defence innovation. The challenge is connecting sovereign technologies to legacy and emerging systems, validating them against mission requirements and scaling them toward operational use at the pace technology and threats are changing. This presentation will show how Calian VENTURES, the Northstar Defence Lab and Calian ATHORA™ create a pathway from Canadian innovation to integrated system-of-systems capability. It will also examine how Canadian innovators, defence OEMs, solutions partners and technology providers can work together to strengthen sovereignty, allied interoperability and operational readiness. |
Wed, Oct 7 - 10:10 am to 11:10 am
| Moderator: Kate Cavallaro (Director, Policy and Impact - Innovation Solutions Canada | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada) Panelists: Capt (Navy) Christopher Taitt (Director Naval Requirements - Royal Canadian Navy) Martin Richard (Director, Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering (OCRE) - National Research Council Canada) Kevin Dunn (Engineer and Operations, Maritime Defence Innovation Secure Hubs - BOREALIS Joint Program Office | Defence Research and Development Canada) Dominique Kowlessar (Director, Marine Industrial and Technological Benefits - Defence Investment Agency) |
| This panel will explore how maritime capabilities move from operational requirements through research, experimentation, innovation, and ultimately adoption. Bringing together representatives from across the defence ecosystem, the discussion will highlight how government, the military, and innovation organizations work together to advance capabilities that address operational needs. |
Wed, Oct 7 - 11:20 am to 11:50 am
| Presenter: Raj Cherchattil (IBM Distinguished Engineer & CTO, Canadian Federal Government - IBM Canada) |
| As threats evolve faster than traditional defence software delivery cycles, Naval forces and allied defence organizations face a critical challenge: turning frontline operational insight into secure, mission-ready capability at the speed of relevance. This keynote explores a sovereign, human-governed AI delivery model that enables sailors, mission planners, and engineers to rapidly move from operational requirements to deployable solutions in instead of years - while maintaining full human oversight, defence-grade security, and complete traceability. Attendees will gain practical insight into how sovereign AI, hybrid cloud, and open, interoperable architectures can strengthen operational readiness, accelerate capability delivery, and support Canada’s vision for secure, modern maritime defence. |
Wed, Oct 7 - 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm
| Moderator: Jane Taber (Senior Vice-President, Public Affairs - NATIONAL Public Relations) Panelists: Jyoti Hirani Driver (Acting Managing Director - NATO DIANA) Simon Purton (Head, Innovation Branch - NATO Allied Command Transformation) |
| An executive fireside chat - A fast-paced, high-value conversation between senior NATO leaders focused on helping companies understand how to engage with the Alliance's innovation ecosystem and accelerate the path from emerging technology to operational adoption. |
Wed, Oct 7 - 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm
| Moderator: Ben Valcour (Senior Program Manager - Thales) Panelists: Heaton Rosborough (President - Rosborough Boats) Drew Moores (General Sales Manager - Hawboldt Industries) |
| A discussion with Thales, Rosborough Boats and Hawboldt Industries. |
Wed, Oct 7 - 2:10 pm to 3:10 pm
| Presenter: Wendy Hadwen (Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy - Defence Investment Agency) |
| The Defence investment Agency will enter its next phase as a standalone entity with a focus on moving from building the organization to delivering, at scale, tangible results for the CAF and Canadian industry. Turning strategy into delivery means accelerating procurement decisions and developing procurement strategies anchored on the principles of the Build-Partner-Buy framework aimed at strengthening Canadian industry, securing Canadian IP, promoting innovation, leveraging export potential and continuing to partner with trusted Allies to build resilient supply chains at home and abroad. |
Wed, Oct 7 - 3:20 pm to 3:50 pm
| Presenter: Anthony Zacharewych (Director, International Business Development - Leonardo DRS) |
| Leonardo DRS will discuss worldwide naval and maritime themes, with a focus on sovereign capability, trusted execution, and mission-critical technology integration. Canada is well positioned to support future fleet modernization efforts through scalable, low-risk solutions tailored to evolving global needs. |
Thu, Oct 8 - 9:30 am to 10:00 am
| Presenters: James Kesten (Director Venture Growth - COVE) Lee Vessey (Digital Strategy and Analysis - Thales Canada) |
| COVE and Thales Canada invite you to meet the winners of the 2026 Naval Technology Innovation Challenges. This program creates unique opportunities for Atlantic Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises to develop innovative technologies addressing real-world naval challenges. These solutions are a fast-track collaboration to accelerate innovative maritime capability advantage to Canada. Hear directly from the winners of two challenge streams: - Strong @ Sea – Innovating Resilience and Safety in Ships - Mastering the Arctic Environment Supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), these challenges provide successful participants with $187,500 in non-dilutive funding to develop and validate solutions alongside direct end-user input. Join James Kesten, Director Venture Growth at COVE, and Lee Vessey, Digital Strategy and Analysis at Thales Canada, for this engaging session highlighting innovation aligned with naval operational priorities and collaboration across industry and end users. |
Thu, Oct 8 - 10:10 am to 10:55 am
| Moderator: Victoria Belbin (CEO - ACADA) Panelists: Peter Suma (Managing Partner - BDC) Cathy Bennet (Founding & Co-Managing Partner - Sandpiper Ventures) Simon Purton (Branch Head, Innovation - NATO ACT) Kevin Rodgers (CEO - Nautel Sonar) |
| Description to be posted shotly. |
Thu, Oct 8 - 11:05 am to 11:20 am
| Presenter: Dr. Graham Gagnon (Vice President Research and Innovation - Dalhousie University) |
Thu, Oct 8 - 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm
| Presenter: Sam Sanandaji (CEO & Founder - Arken Innovations) |
| A talk on institutional knowledge, trusted AI, and knowledge sovereignty. |
Thu, Oct 8 - 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm
| Presenters: James Kesten (Director Venture Growth - COVE) Matthew Owens (Maritime Canada General Manager - L3Harris) |
| COVE and L3Harris invite DEFSEC Atlantic attendees to learn about a new industry challenge focused on Modular Mission Payload Kits. This challenge seeks innovative solutions for rapidly installable, powered, connected, and maintainable mission kits that allow capabilities to adapt quickly for diverse roles—without permanent redesign. Potential kit applications range from Arctic environmental monitoring and uncrewed system support to maritime domain awareness. The session will detail how small and medium enterprises can develop modular payload solutions that emphasize standardized interfaces, operator ease, cybersecurity, and sustainable support. James Kesten from COVE and Matthew Owens from L3Harris will explain the opportunity, how to apply, and the pathway to prototype demonstration and future shipboard trials. This challenge offers a unique chance to contribute to mission flexibility and cutting-edge maritime technology. |
Thu, Oct 8 - 2:10 pm to 2:40 pm
| Presenter: Honourable Peter MacKay, PC, KC (Senior Advisor - Deloitte Canada) |
| Canada's defence sector is entering a period of unprecedented opportunity but to capitalize many factors must fall in place. This session will examine the strategic choices organizations face as they pursue growth in an increasingly complex and competitive market, including how to anticipate government priorities, build the right partnerships, and avoid common pitfalls in a rapidly evolving defence landscape. |
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