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

Описание: June 2, 2026

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

This event is part of a U15 Canada Event Series, “Securing Canada’s Future: How Leading Research Universities are Meeting the Moment”.

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 brought 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?

Program:

Opening remarks- Marie-Ève Sylvestre, Thomas Juneau

Panel 1: Defence
Chair: Tjorven Bellmann
Speakers: Stefanie Beck, Philippe Lagassé, Christopher Coates

Keynote
Chair: Thomas Juneau
Speaker: Wayne Eyre

Panel 2: National Security and Intelligence
Chair: Alexandra Gheciu
Speakers: David Vigneault, Jody Thomas, Kerry Buck

Speakers:

Stefanie Beck was Deputy Minister (DM) of National Defence (DND) until January 2026 during a period of historic growth. Prior to that she was the DM of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Associate DM for DND. Ms Beck served as Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2020 – 2022. Ms. Beck joined the Government in 1990, serving in External Affairs, the department of Immigration and the Privy Council Office. Her postings abroad included Senegal, Australia, and as Ambassador in Cambodia and Croatia. Ms. Beck attended high school in Singapore and Canada, and has a BA in German and Italian from McGill University.

Tjorven Bellmann is the German Ambassador to Canada and has served in that role since September 2024. She shares this position with her husband – they alternate every 8 months. She previously held the position of Assistant Deputy Minister at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin.

Kerry Buck was, upon her retirement from the Canadian public service, Assistant Secretary, Economic Sector at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. Prior to that appointment, she was Canada’s Ambassador to the North Atlantic Council (NATO).

Christopher Coates is the Director of Foreign Policy, National Security, and National Defence with the MacDonald-Laurier Institute. A retired Lieutenant-General, he was a military helicopter pilot and served as the deputy commander of NORAD.

Wayne Eyre retired in 2024 as Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff. As the commander of the Canadian Armed Forces and military advisor to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, he led Canada’s military through an unprecedented confluence of international and domestic crises and rapidly evolving security stressors.

Alexandra Gheciu is a Professor at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) and the Director of CIPS.

Thomas Juneau is a Professor at the University of Ottawa’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and network coordinator of the Security Studies Network at CIPS.

Philippe Lagassé is associate professor and Barton Chair at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs. His research focuses on defence policy and procurement, command auhtority and civil-military relations, and the Canadian constitution. He served as an independent review of defence procurements for the Canadian government from 2012-2022.

Marie-Eve Sylvestre has been president and vice-chancellor of the University of Ottawa since July 1, 2025. Prior to assuming this role, she was dean of the Civil Law Section of the Faculty of Law and co-chair of the Senate Committee on Academic Freedom. Under her leadership, the Civil Law Section promoted transformative learning experiences and achieved record growth in research activities, launching the first certificate in Indigenous law in French in North America and Jurivision.ca, an audiovisual knowledge mobilization platform.

Jody Thomas retired in 2024 after 40+ years in the federal government, as National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister. She was previously the Deputy Minister of National Defence, as well as the Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard.

David Vigneault is the Chief Intelligence Officer for Strider Technologies. David supports engagement with private and public sector organizations, and advances R&D efforts within the intelligence team. Prior to joining Strider, David was the ninth Director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).

https://www.cips-cepi.ca/event/divers...

00:00:10 Opening Remarks
00:11:30 Panel 1: Defence
01:29:38 Keynote
02:11:25 Panel 2: National Security and Intelligence