Evaluating Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy

About this episode

The episode evaluates Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy and its implications for spending and sovereignty.

"There's a lot in this document… Do we feel the urgency and the threats are covered here?" After months of waiting, the Defence Industrial Strategy offers clarity for $7 billion worth of spending commitments in Budget 2025. Is that enough? What's missing? What comes next? Vass Bednar (Canadian Shield Institute) and Matt Lombardi (The Icebreaker) join to evaluate the strategy, the spending, and some sticky questions about canola oil and Canadian sovereignty. The BetaKit Podcast is presented by BetaKit Most Ambitious: Town Hall, the marquee opening event of Toronto Tech Week 2026. Taking place on May 25 at the iconic TIFF Lightbox, BetaKit Most Ambitious: Town Hall will bring together over 500 leaders from across Canada's tech and innovation ecosystem for meaningful conversations about strengthening the nation's autonomy, security, and prosperity. Get your tickets today before they sell out . -- The BetaKit Podcast is presented by The BetaKit Newsletter: BetaKit's flagship newsletter. Every Sunday, The BetaKit Newsletter serves up in-depth analysis and insights on Canadian tech and innovation news, piping hot and straight to your inbox. Your inbox deserves better, and so do you…

People in this episode

Guests: Vass Bednar, Matt Lombardi

Topics covered

• Defence Industrial Strategy
• Canadian sovereignty
• Budget 2025
• spending commitments
• technology
• innovation

Keywords

• Defence Industrial Strategy
• Canada
• spending commitments
• sovereignty
• technology
• innovation
• Budget 2025

Sponsors

BetaKit Most Ambitious: Town Hall, BetaKit Newsletter

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Canadian Shield Institute, The Icebreaker, BetaKit Podcast Network

Places: Toronto, TIFF Lightbox

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