Building the Workforce for Ottawa’s Defence Innovation Hub

The Ottawa Board of Trade invites you to a critical panel discussion on the workforce needed to power Ottawa's future.

Join us for insights from:

• The Hon. Nolan Quinn, Ontario's Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security
• His Worship Mayor Mark Sutcliffe
• Steve Orsini, President & CEO, Council of Ontario Universities
• Maureen Adamson, President & CEO, Colleges Ontario
• Sueling Ching, President & CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade

As Ottawa faces major structural shifts, including large-scale federal public service cuts, AI-driven automation, and global trade uncertainty, the city must diversify its economy, away from the public sector. Positioning Ottawa as Canada’s Defence Innovation Hub provides a new economic engine to align the region’s research and training capacity, highly skilled workers, with urgent national defence and security needs. 

This panel, hosted by the Ottawa Board of Trade, brings together key civic, provincial and post-secondary leaders to discuss how Ottawa’s colleges, universities and industry can deliver the skilled workforce needed to power this new hub, capitalize on Ottawa's talent, and secure Ottawa’s future. This topic will be of particular interest to business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, educators, students, defence industry professionals, and anyone invested in Ottawa’s economic growth and workforce development.

Note: To allow for adequate security screening time when entering Council Chambers, please arrive at least 10-15 minutes in advance.