Submission to the Standing Committee on Science and Research on Canada’s dual-use and defence research needs

In an era of geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological change, Canada must invest in its security, sovereignty and prosperity. Canada has set an ambitious course, committing to invest five percent of our GDP in defence and security by 2035. However, spending alone does not equal capability; ships, satellites and cyber-defence systems are only as effective as the talent and technology behind them.

As integrated research and talent hubs, universities offer the country’s most scalable platform for rapidly expanding defence talent, innovation and sovereign capability without building new systems from scratch. Regardless of size or specialization, universities serve as focal points for research activity, talent development and knowledge mobilization within their regions, making them essential partners in advancing Canada’s defence and sovereignty objectives.

In our submission, Universities Canada recommends that the federal government:

1. Facilitate the transfer of technology from universities to Canadian small and mid-sized businesses to scale dual-use innovation and keep economic benefits in Canada.
2. Leverage university land, infrastructure and research security expertise to collaborate on the development of secure research facilities alongside industry partners.
3. Support secure, scalable, unclassified research environments to realize the full ambitions of the Defence Industrial Strategy.
4. Align university training with defence needs through expanded co-op programs, internships and embedded fellowships to strengthen Canada’s pipeline of skilled talent.
5. Establish clear and predictable pathways for university engagement with defence priorities, supported by standardized security templates and streamlined onboarding, to strengthen connections between universities, industry and government.

Canada’s sovereignty rests on three commitments: the money we invest, the people who serve and the innovation we develop. Universities are where those three meet. By aligning universities with federal defence initiatives, Canada can expand its skills pipeline, support small businesses, strengthen Arctic sovereignty and develop the capabilities necessary for long-term security and prosperity.