CCI Celebrates Inaugural Canada Defence Procurement Readiness Program Cohort

TORONTO, ON – The Council of Canadian Innovators is proud to recognize the first group of professionals who have completed the Canada Defence Procurement Readiness Program (CDPRP), a new five-week online course that helps Canadian dual use and technology companies find their footing in federal defence procurement.

Over 5 weeks participants from across Canada’s defence, aerospace, cyber and dual use sectors spent time each week learning how defence policy works in practice, how the federal government actually buys technology, and what it takes to win and deliver on defence contracts. The program was built by CCI with government and industry experts to give founders and senior leaders a clearer, more practical path into a system that is often confusing and hard to break into.

The federal government has committed to meeting NATO’s 2 percent defence spending target this fiscal year and has signalled higher spending to come, along with a dedicated industrial defence strategy. There is more money on the table, but companies still struggle with slow processes, complex rules and unclear entry points. CDPRP is one way to close that gap by helping firms understand how the system works and what ready for defence procurement actually looks like.

Participants came from executive leadership, business development, operations, cyber security, legal, and government relations roles. Their questions and willingness to compare notes with each other and with instructors were a big part of what made the pilot successful.

Dana O’Born, CCI’s incoming Chief Strategy Officer, said the goal was to make defence procurement feel less like a black box.

“Canadian tech companies are already building tools that matter for national security. What they often lack is a clear starting point. This program is meant to lower the barrier to entry. We walk through how defence and cyber policy actually work, how to sell to the federal government, and what companies need to have in place so they can put their hand up when opportunities open. The aim is simple: more Canadian firms confident enough to bid, win and deliver.”

Sessions in this cohort were led by senior public servants, legal and procurement experts, and industry leaders, including:

• Josh Ogden, Co Founder and CEO, AVSS
• Natalie Raffoul, Managing Partner, Brion Raffoul LLP
• Neil Chaulk, CEO, Solace Power
• Wendy Hadwen, Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Industry, Department of National Defence
• Lyall King, Senior Director, Risk Mitigation Program for Cyber Security, Communications Security Establishment
• Stephane Champagne, Supply Team Leader, Procurement Assistance Canada
• Alexander Jeglic, Procurement Ombud at The Office of the Procurement Ombudsman
• Jenifer Lévesque, Acting Director of Policy, Industrial and Technological Benefit Branch, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
• Wilson Pearce, Senior Director, Global Business Development Operations, Canadian Commercial Corporation
• Lindsay Whiston-Babcock, Senior Relationship Manager, EDC
• Janemary Banigan, Director of Government Relations, EDC
• Jonathan Joubert, Senior Client Relations Officer, Contract Security Program, Public Services and Procurement Canada

The completion of this first cohort is a concrete step toward building a deeper bench of Canadian companies that understand defence procurement and are ready to compete. CCI looks forward to supporting more innovators who want to play a direct role in meeting Canada’s defence and security needs.

Thank you to Presenting Partner RBCx and Supporting Partner Brion Raffoul LLP for helping make this program possible.