On February 17, 2026, the Government of Canada released its Security, Sovereignty and Prosperity: Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy ("the Strategy"), marking a generational shift in how the country will invest in defence capability, domestic industry, and long-term strategic autonomy.
The Strategy emphasizes Buy Canadian procurement, streamlined acquisition through the new Defence Investment Agency, expanded allied collaboration, and significant investment in innovation and commercialization. It positions Canadian industry to compete for substantial procurement and capital investment opportunities over the next decade.
One element that stands out for us: the explicit focus on sovereign control of defence-related intellectual property.
A notable shift within the Strategy is the explicit connection between intellectual property and sovereign capability. Ownership, access to technical data, and long-term operational control are no longer background considerations. They are embedded within procurement policy and industrial growth strategy.
While this update is directly relevant to defence contractors and integrators, it also has implications for dual-use technology companies, advanced manufacturers, and R&D-focused organizations operating within allied supply chains.
When the Strategy was released, our IP team reviewed it with a focus on practical implications. One of our defence industry experts provided early insight into how BUILD–PARTNER–BUY, ITB modernization, and export expansion intersect with IP governance.
We’ve summarized those implications in a short advisory memorandum. It, along with our Defence IP Readiness Checklist, provide a good starting point for organizations evaluating their position.
Both resources are available below.
As Canada strengthens its defence ecosystem, clarity around IP ownership and control will play an increasingly visible role in competitiveness and scale.
→ Download Paul's Memorandum
→ Access Stratford's Defence IP Readiness Checklist