The Ontario Defence Association connects the province's industrial depth with Canada's growing defence investment cycle.

Ontario has been home to the largest defence industrial base in Canada for decades. More than 300 companies. 13,000 workers. Over $5 billion in annual revenue spanning land systems, aerospace, maritime, digital defence, and advanced manufacturing. The depth has always been there, but coordination at the provincial level has been limited. The Ontario Defence Association (ODA), launched April 20, is the province's first not-for-profit organization dedicated exclusively to advancing Ontario's defence industrial base.

Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy calls for new federal-provincial mechanisms, advance notice of major infrastructure projects, and closer alignment between regional industrial capacity and national procurement priorities. The ODA is Ontario's answer to that call.

"Ontario has the industrial depth to be a decisive contributor to Canada's defence priorities," said Ted Kirkpatrick, Chair of the ODA and Vice President, Business Development and Government Relations at Ontario Shipyards. "What's been missing is a dedicated provincial coordination mechanism. The ODA closes that gap by bringing industry, government, and partners into a more structured and aligned framework."

The launch coincides with significant federal procurement reform. The Defence Investment Agency, stood up in October 2025, is consolidating procurement and implementing Ottawa's "Build-Partner-Buy" framework, with a focus on faster decisions, stronger domestic capability, and clearer economic benefits.

The ODA has a clear view of where Ontario's industrial base is best positioned to compete. "Ontario is particularly well positioned at the intersection of advanced manufacturing and digital capability, the ability to design, build, and integrate next-generation systems domestically while supporting allied supply chains," said Heather Pilot, Executive Director and co-founder of the ODA.

Near-term, Pilot points to specific capability areas gaining traction. "The most promising areas are those that combine sovereignty with scalability, including AI-enabled defence applications, cyber resilience, advanced materials, and dual-use technologies that can move quickly from commercial innovation into defence capability. There is growing alignment between federal priorities and the Ontario government's increased focus on defence and AI. That creates real momentum. This is a moment where Ontario is well positioned to participate in national defence priorities and to help lead in several of these areas."

Much of that potential sits in the supply chain. Ontario's defence base extends well beyond the prime contractors, running deep into specialized small and mid-sized manufacturers with advanced manufacturing capability, niche engineering expertise, and strong export potential. The challenge for many has been visibility and procurement readiness rather than capability.

The ODA's approach focuses on three areas, according to Pilot:

For Ontario defence companies looking to engage, Pilot said, "ODA helps Ontario companies get informed, prepared, and connected so they can participate more effectively in Canada's growing defence investment environment."

"At this time of heightened challenge and growth for the defence industry, a more coordinated and visible provincial ecosystem is essential to strengthening Canada's defence supply chain," said Ben Whitney, President of Armo Tool and Abuma Manufacturing. "The Ontario Defence Association represents an important step in bringing together the capabilities needed to support major defence programs."

The ODA draws a clear distinction between its role and CADSI's work at the national level. It is not a lobbying organization and is not designed to duplicate CADSI's work at the national level. "CADSI plays an essential role representing the national defence and security industry and engaging with federal decision-makers across Canada," said Pilot. "The Ontario Defence Association complements that work by focusing specifically on strengthening Ontario's contribution within that national framework. Provincial coordination adds something distinct because it helps connect companies across regions and sectors within Ontario's defence sector and improves visibility into capabilities, supply chains, and collaboration opportunities. Strengthening that provincial foundation ultimately supports stronger national capability outcomes."

The Association's board includes senior leaders from General Dynamics Land Systems Canada, Airbus Helicopters, and BlackBerry, alongside former military leaders and national security experts, covering the full range from major integrators to the supply chain firms that support them.

The ODA has been engaging with industry and government since its introduction at the Best Defence Conference in London, Ontario in October 2025. The formal launch signals that the groundwork is laid and the work begins in earnest.

Ontario has long had the capability. Now it has the coordination to match.