Videos May 28, 2025

Rebuilding Canada’s defence industrial base

Nancy Southern – Chair and Chief Executive Officer, ATCO Ltd. Éric Martel – President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier Inc. Blake Hutcheson – President and Chief Executive Officer, OMERS Goldy Hyder – President and Chief Executive Officer, Business Council of Canada Louise Blais – Senior Special Advisor – U.S. and International Affairs, Business Council of Canada

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Canada’s long-term security and prosperity are at risk due to years of underinvestment in the country’s defence industrial base. On May 27th, 2025, Canadian Club Toronto hosted a vital conversation on the need for a national strategy, one that will strengthen our military and bolster economic resilience.

The event built on the Business Council of Canada’s report Security & Prosperity and featured a panel discussion with three BCC members:

Blake Hutcheson – President and CEO, OMERS

Éric Martel – President and CEO, Bombardier Inc.

Nancy Southern – Chair and CEO, ATCO Ltd.

The event began with opening remarks from Roxanne Dubois, Executive Assistant to the National President of Unifor, and General Vice-President of IAM Union, David Chartrand. It ended with a call to action from Goldy Hyder, President and CEO of the Business Council of Canada.