At a time of heightened geopolitical tension and with the acknowledgment of diverse threats to our sovereignty and security, Canada is redefining what sovereignty means and how stakeholders can contribute to the defence of our great nation. In alignment with the Government of Canada’s command signal that Canada must defend its own sovereignty on its own terms, the Canadian Army is undergoing a generational modernization to become the Army Canada now needs.

In parallel, the Government of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy charts a path to a more sovereign, innovation‑driven defence industrial base, with implications for businesses, researchers, and communities across the country.

On June 4th, 2026, The Empire Club of Canada will welcome Lieutenant-General Michael Wright, Commander of the Canadian Army for a keynote entitled, Forging the Army Canada Needs: Stakeholder Opportunities to Contribute to the Defence of Canada.  The Commander will lay out his vision for a modern Army and how it aligns with the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) and broader government priorities to enhance, equip, develop and future-proof the land forces for Canada’s sovereignty.

Following the speech, Jody Thomas, Senior Advisor at Counsel Public Affairs will moderate a fireside chat that will also include Bernie Derible, Ontario’s Agent General ASEAN and Ontario’s Military and Defence Representative and Patrick Kelly, Director General, Defence Investment Agency, on how the private and public sector can collaborate to ensure that Canada forges the Army it needs to meet this inflection point in Canada’s National Defence.

Join us for this timely and relevant discussion!