Canada’s New National Security Strategy: What It Means for Business and Industry

Canada is entering a new era of defence, national security and industrial investment. For Canadian and international businesses, understanding this shift could be the key to unlocking new opportunities.

Samuel Associates | 29 October 2026

A New Direction for Canada’s National Security

For the first time in more than 20 years, the Government of Canada has introduced a new overarching national security strategy. Released in October 2026, The Plan for a Stronger Canada: National Security for Canadians sets out a new direction for protecting Canada’s sovereignty, strengthening its economy and preparing for an increasingly uncertain global environment.

For business leaders, this is much more than another government policy announcement. It signals a fundamental change in how Canada intends to invest in defence, advanced technologies, critical infrastructure and domestic industrial capabilities.

At the heart of the strategy is a straightforward message: Canada must become more self-reliant, economically resilient and capable of defending its national interests. Achieving these objectives will require closer cooperation between government, Canadian industry and trusted international partners.

For companies operating in defence, aerospace, technology, manufacturing, cybersecurity, energy and other strategic sectors, this creates an important opportunity to rethink their position in the Canadian market.

At Samuel Associates, we believe this strategy marks a significant turning point in how businesses should approach Canada’s defence and national security sectors.

National Security Is Becoming an Economic Priority

One of the most important changes in Canada’s new strategy is the recognition that national security and economic strength are inseparable.

Canada can no longer rely exclusively on its geography, international partnerships or global supply chains to protect its interests. The government wants to strengthen domestic capabilities in industries considered essential to the country’s security and prosperity.

The strategy identifies eight strategic sectors, including defence, emerging technologies, critical minerals, energy, transportation, pharmaceuticals, food security and financial systems.

This broadens the definition of what constitutes a national security industry.

A Canadian manufacturer producing advanced components, a technology company developing artificial intelligence or an international business offering secure communications may all have capabilities that support Canada’s national security objectives.

For CEOs and business leaders, the implication is significant. Companies that have never considered themselves part of the defence or security industry may now have reasons to explore these markets.

The opportunity is not simply to sell products to government, but to demonstrate how a business can contribute to Canada’s long-term security, resilience and industrial strength.

Defence Investment Will Create Opportunities Across Industry

Canada’s commitment to increasing defence investment is another important element of the strategy.

The government confirms that defence investment reached 2% of GDP in 2025–2026 and sets out a path toward NATO’s broader 5% defence investment commitment by 2035.

This represents a major long-term policy commitment, although the timing and allocation of future expenditures will depend on government budgets and implementation decisions.

Canada also intends to strengthen its domestic defence industrial base, improve military readiness and modernize how the Canadian Armed Forces acquire and sustain equipment.

For industry, this points to potential opportunities across aerospace, maritime systems, advanced manufacturing, surveillance, secure communications, cybersecurity, military logistics and equipment maintenance.

However, increased defence spending does not automatically translate into new business.

Companies must understand what the Canadian government actually needs, which organizations are responsible for delivering those capabilities and how procurement decisions are made.

For international companies, success will increasingly depend on understanding Canadian industrial priorities and developing credible partnerships that create lasting value in Canada.

The companies that prepare early, understand government requirements and align their capabilities with Canada’s priorities will be better positioned as new opportunities emerge.

Canada Wants to Build More at Home While Working With Trusted Partners

A central theme of the new strategy is the importance of strengthening Canada’s sovereign industrial capabilities.

The government wants to reduce vulnerabilities in critical supply chains, support Canadian manufacturing and encourage investment in strategically important industries.

This does not mean Canada intends to produce everything domestically. The strategy explicitly recognizes that cooperation with reliable international partners remains essential.

For Canadian companies, this creates opportunities to expand production, develop new technologies and participate in domestic and international supply chains.

For foreign businesses, it signals that entering the Canadian market should involve more than exporting equipment or services.

Establishing Canadian operations, forming industrial partnerships, investing in research and development, creating skilled employment and supporting long-term equipment sustainment can all help demonstrate a company’s commitment to Canada’s strategic objectives.

This is particularly relevant for companies from the United States, Europe and the Indo-Pacific that are considering Canada as a destination for investment or business expansion.

Canada is looking for industrial capabilities that strengthen its security and economy. Companies that can demonstrate both will have a stronger strategic proposition.

Technology and Innovation Are Now Central to National Security

Canada’s national security priorities are also creating a stronger connection between advanced technology and government requirements.

The strategy identifies artificial intelligence, quantum computing, secure cloud infrastructure, telecommunications and space-based technologies as important capabilities for Canada’s future.

It also calls for stronger intelligence collection and analysis, improved cybersecurity and greater protection against foreign interference and emerging threats.

For technology companies, this represents a potentially important expansion of the market.

Businesses developing commercial technologies may discover applications within defence, public safety, intelligence or critical infrastructure protection.

However, entering these markets requires more than innovative technology. Government customers have specific operational, security, regulatory and procurement requirements that companies must understand.

A technology that works well in the commercial sector may require additional development, testing, certification or integration before it can meet national security needs.

This is where strategic planning becomes essential.

Companies must be able to connect their technological capabilities to real government requirements and demonstrate how their solutions can deliver measurable results.

The National Security Market Is Bigger Than Defence

Another important feature of Canada’s strategy is its emphasis on public safety, intelligence, border security and critical infrastructure.

The government intends to strengthen its ability to respond to cybercrime, foreign interference, organized crime, threats to critical infrastructure and other security challenges.

This means opportunities may emerge across several federal institutions, not only the Department of National Defence.

Organizations such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada Border Services Agency, Communications Security Establishment and Canadian Security Intelligence Service have different mandates but share a need for modern capabilities and secure systems.

For companies offering surveillance technologies, advanced sensors, cybersecurity, secure communications or data analytics, understanding these different government markets could reveal additional opportunities.

The challenge is knowing where a company’s capabilities fit, how government requirements are developed and which regulatory and procurement considerations apply.

For business leaders, having a clear understanding of Ottawa’s national security landscape is becoming increasingly important.

Why Business Leaders Should Act Now

Canada’s National Security Strategy establishes a long-term direction, but much of the detailed implementation is still to come.

The government has committed to developing additional plans covering defence, economic security, foreign policy, public safety and intelligence. These plans, together with future budgets and procurement decisions, will help determine where investments are directed.

For businesses, this creates an important period to assess their market strategies and prepare for future opportunities.

Companies should be examining how their products and services align with Canada’s national security priorities, whether they have the right Canadian partnerships and what steps are necessary to compete effectively.

Waiting until a major government procurement is announced may leave companies with limited time to establish the relationships, industrial capabilities and market understanding needed to compete.

The strongest business strategies begin before an opportunity reaches the procurement stage.

This is particularly important for international companies entering Canada and for Canadian businesses seeking to expand into defence and national security markets for the first time.

How Samuel Associates Helps Businesses Navigate Canada’s Changing Market

Canada’s new National Security Strategy creates a more complex but potentially rewarding environment for business.

Understanding the policy direction is only the beginning. Companies must also determine how their capabilities align with government requirements, where commercial opportunities may develop and what investments or partnerships are necessary to succeed.

This is where Samuel Associates can help.

Based in Ottawa, Samuel Associates works with Canadian and international companies seeking to establish, expand and strengthen their presence in Canada’s defence, national security and government markets.

Our work brings together government relations, strategic advisory services, market intelligence and business development to help companies navigate the Canadian federal environment.

We assist business leaders in understanding government priorities, identifying relevant market opportunities, developing Canadian industrial partnerships and establishing effective engagement strategies with government and industry stakeholders.

For international companies, we provide guidance on entering the Canadian market, understanding its institutions and developing a credible long-term presence.

For Canadian businesses, we help identify opportunities to position existing products, technologies and services within emerging defence and national security requirements.

Our approach is practical and focused on business outcomes. We help leadership teams move beyond general policy discussions toward informed commercial decisions and actionable market strategies.

At Samuel Associates, our objective is to help companies connect what they do best with what Canada needs most.

The Bottom Line: A New Opportunity for Business

Canada’s October 2026 National Security Strategy represents an important shift in the country’s approach to defence, economic security and industrial development.

The government has made clear that protecting Canada’s sovereignty will require stronger domestic industries, advanced technologies, reliable infrastructure and deeper cooperation with trusted international partners.

For businesses, this means that national security considerations will increasingly influence industrial policy, investment decisions and government priorities.

The opportunities extend beyond traditional defence contractors to include technology developers, manufacturers, infrastructure providers, aerospace and maritime companies, cybersecurity specialists and many other businesses.

However, companies will need more than a strong product or service to succeed. They will need to understand Canada’s strategic direction, demonstrate their contribution to national priorities and develop the right partnerships and market strategies.

Canada is entering a new era of national security investment. Businesses that understand this transformation and position themselves early will be better prepared to participate in its future.

Is Your Company Ready to Be Part of Canada’s National Security Future?

Whether your business is entering the Canadian market, expanding its defence and security operations or exploring how its technologies can support Canada’s emerging priorities, Samuel Associates can help you navigate the opportunities ahead.

Our Ottawa-based team works with business leaders to understand government priorities, develop market strategies and build the relationships and partnerships necessary for long-term growth.

Canada is building the capabilities it needs for the future. Let Samuel Associates help position your business to be part of that transformation.

Samuel Associates
Strategic Government Relations | Defence & National Security Advisory | Canadian Market Entry

Ottawa, Canada

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Source: Government of Canada, The Plan for a Stronger Canada: National Security for Canadians⁠, October 2026. This article presents Samuel Associates’ independent strategic analysis of the policy and its potential implications for Canadian and international industry. Future commercial opportunities remain subject to government implementation, funding and procurement decisions.