A New Canadian Export-and-Defence Paradigm

In his October 22, 2025 address, Prime Minister Mark Carney signalled a bold new chapter in Canada’s economic and defence orientation. For the first time in modern history, the federal government has explicitly declared that Canada’s defence and economic future will extend well beyond North America, with deliberate focus on Europe and the Indo-Pacific.This is not a subtle recalibration. It represents an historic and strategic redirection—a recognition that Canada’s prosperity and security will increasingly depend on building deeper, more resilient partnerships across multiple regions of the world.

‍A Transformational Policy Moment

‍The Prime Minister’s remarks underscored that Canada can no longer rely solely on its traditional alignment with the United States to guarantee national security or industrial competitiveness. Instead, Ottawa intends to diversify its economic and security relationships through:

• Expanded trade and industrial cooperation with the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Asia-Pacific democracies.
• Accelerated investment in advanced manufacturing, defence technology, and dual-use innovation to drive export-oriented growth.
• New frameworks for international collaboration in defence production, cybersecurity, and space innovation under NATO and allied mechanisms.

In effect, Canada is projecting itself as a global contributor to allied deterrence and industrial resilience—an active participant, not a passive beneficiary.

Implications for Canada’s Defence and Technology Firms

‍For Canadian defence, aerospace, and dual-use technology companies, this shift opens an unprecedented window of opportunity—but also demands strategic adaptation.

• Government partnerships will evolve

Ottawa will need to prioritize how it works with defence firms—developing new mechanisms that enable export development, innovation partnerships, and international certification pathways for Canadian-made systems.

• Export readiness becomes a national asset

Companies capable of scaling globally and aligning their solutions with NATO, EU, and Indo-Pacific requirements will find themselves well positioned to secure government and allied partnerships.

• Dual-use and emerging technologies will lead

Defence, space, and advanced-tech firms offering products applicable to both civil and military markets will be at the forefront of this new policy direction.

‍Samuel Associates: Your Strategic Partner in Canada, at NATO and Beyond

‍With headquarters in Ottawa, regional presence across Canada, and dedicated associates in Brussels to serve the NATO and European Union markets, Samuel Associates is uniquely positioned to guide companies through this evolving environment.

Our international structure provides clients with a seamless glidepath to:

• Enter and expand within the Canadian defence and security marketplace;
• Engage government stakeholders on industrial participation, policy, and procurement strategies;
• Identify export opportunities across NATO, the EU, and Indo-Pacific regions; and
• Align business strategies with Canada’s emerging global defence priorities.

By integrating policy insight, government-relations expertise, and market intelligence, we ensure that our clients navigate Canada’s new industrial and diplomatic trajectory with confidence and purpose.

‍Turning Policy into Opportunity

‍This moment marks a profound inflection point for Canada’s defence and technology sectors. The country is outward-looking, allied-driven, and ready to play a larger role in global defence, security, and innovation.For Canadian and international firms alike, Samuel Associates stands ready to translate this national ambition into tangible business opportunity.Contact us today to learn how our team can support your market-entry, partnership, and export strategy—across Canada, NATO, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific.