Diversifying Canada’s Security and Defence Partnerships: Challenges and Opportunities

Event Date: June 2, 2026 - 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Location: DMS 4101 & via Zoom, 55 Laurier Ave E, Ottawa

Registration: Google Forms

Presented by CIPS, the Security Studies Network and the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (OVPRI) at the University of Ottawa

Much has been said in the past year about the need for Canada to diversify its international partnerships given the challenges posed by the return to the American presidency of Donald Trump. This, however, is much easier said than done. This conference brings together former senior Canadian officials and experts to help us better understand what diversifying security and defence partnerships means in practice: What should the concrete objectives be? What are the main obstacles? Does Canada have the right tools to do this?

Please note that this is a hybrid event. Participants can join in-person or virtually.

Program:

• 1:00pm-1:15pm– Opening remarks

  • Marie-Ève Sylvestre (President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ottawa), Thomas Juneau (Professor, GSPIA)

• 1:15pm – 2:30pm – Panel 1: Defence

  • Chair: Tjorven Bellmann (German Ambassador to Canada)

  • Speakers:

    • Stefanie Beck (Former Deputy Minister of National Defence)

    • Philippe Lagassé (Professor, Carleton University)

    • Christopher Coates (Retired Lieutenant-General, Former Deputy Commander NORAD)

• 2:30pm-3:00pm – Break

• 3:00pm-3:45pm – Keynote

  • Chair: Thomas Juneau (Professor, GSPIA)

  • Speaker: Wayne Eyre (Former Chief of the Defence Staff)

• 3:45pm-5:00pm – Panel 2: National Security and Intelligence

  • Chair: Alexandra Gheciu (Professor, GSPIA, and Director, CIPS)

  • Speakers:

    • David Vigneault (Former Director, Canadian Security Intelligence Service)

    • Jody Thomas (Former National Security and Intelligence Adviser to the Prime Minister)

    • Kerry Buck (Former Ambassador to NATO)