Dual-Use Technologies Summit

The Dual-Use Technology Summit, hosted at the University of New Brunswick Wu Conference Centre on February 25 and 26, 2026, is designed to bring together academia, industry, and government in support of Canada’s evolving defence and security innovation ecosystem. The Summit will focus on dual-use technologies with both civilian and military applications while providing clarity and practical guidance for researchers, startups, and small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to engage with the Canadian defence sector for the first time.

By convening representatives from industry, government, and academia from across Atlantic Canada and the broader national landscape, the event will foster meaningful conversations around innovation adoption, partnership development, and market entry within the defence sector.  These discussions take place at a pivotal moment for Canada’s defence and national security landscape. Canada is entering a historic period of investment, with defence spending projected to reach $48 billion dollars in 2025 to 2026 and a long-term objective of 5% of GDP. Atlantic Canada, which already represents approximately 20% of the national aerospace and defence industrial labour force, is well positioned to play a central role in this growth. As the largest contributors to national research and development, universities and colleges are critical to building strong innovation, commercialization, and talent pipelines. The Dual-Use Technology Summit creates a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and partnership development on these priorities that strengthens the regional defence sector and helps orient new entrants to this growing market.