Last week I attended the Dual-Use Technologies Summit presented by Springboard and ResearchNB. It was hosted at the UNB Wu Conference Centre here in Fredericton, NB.
Dual‑Use is a term used to describe technology that can be applied in both the private sector and the defence sector. Matt Clancy from COVE described it as a strategy, not a category. As an example, boats can be used for fishing, transportation, and countless civilian activities. Once the Canadian Navy mounts a gun on that same vessel, however, it becomes a Dual‑Use technology.
The summit featured many insightful, and at times surprising, presentations. Much of the buzz centred on the Canadian government’s recent announcement that it plans to invest $82B over the next five years in defence. They’ve also set a target for 70% of that spending to go to Canadian‑based contractors. After attending this conference, I learned that actually getting a contract with the government is harder than catching a greased pig.
That’s why Dual‑Use is promoted as a strategy: it helps companies stay viable long enough to secure a contract with the Department of National Defence. It’s a survival approach, not an attempt to double dip.
It was encouraging to see Canadian patriots who care deeply about our sovereignty and are taking these issues seriously. I know plenty of people who would rather stick their heads in the sand and hope the situation resolves itself. The reality is that we need to be proactive and prepare for any possible outcome. Investing in the capability to do that here at home makes a lot of sense.
For more information on Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, you can find it on their website: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/reports-publications/industrial-strategy/security-sovereignty-prosperity.html
