TORONTO, ON – As Canada strengthens long-term defence capability and collective security, Ontario’s research and innovation ecosystem is stepping forward to help power the next generation of dual-use innovation.
On June 19, leaders from postsecondary education, industry, and government gathered at The Quay in Toronto for From Campus to Capability: Participate in the Defence Innovation Ecosystem, a half-day event focused on accelerating Ontario’s readiness to participate in Canada’s evolving defence landscape.
Attendees were among the first to explore the Dual-Use Readiness Assessment (DURA) framework, a practical checklist that helps institutions and businesses understand, navigate, and ultimately participate in dual-use research collaboration.
“Advancing dual‑use innovation requires a coordinated ecosystem where academia, industry, and government work together to translate research into real‑world impact,” says Robert Luke, CEO, eCampusOntario. “With the Dual Use Readiness Assessment framework, we are helping Ontario’s postsecondary institutions and businesses understand the regulatory requirements of the defence sector. Together, we’re building and scaling higher education research networks to lead Canada’s next generation of defence innovation.”
The event featured opening remarks from Ontario Minister Nolan Quinn, followed by cross-sector discussion on defence research, partnerships between industry and higher education, and strategies to advance sovereign innovation from research to commercialization.
“Now more than ever, it is imperative that Ontario continues to build a robust pipeline of talent from our colleges, universities, and research institutes to cement the province as a global leader in defence,” said Hon. Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “Today’s conversations were critical to the success of leveraging our groundbreaking innovation for dual use purposes, accelerating our homegrown discoveries to protect Ontario.”
As national momentum accelerates through Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy and related initiatives, including BOREALIS and DISH, the focus is now shifting from exploration to readiness and scale. However, many businesses and institutions aren’t sure where to begin.
Hosting the Ontario Collaborative Innovation Platform (OCIP.ai), eCampusOntario is uniquely positioned to help mobilize the province’s research and development capacity, enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), researchers, and institutions to participate in dual-use collaboration. In addition to this event, eCampusOntario will continue to convene the sector and participate in the conversation shaping Ontario’s dual-use ecosystem. The DURA framework is a checklist for institutions and businesses can use to understand provincial, federal, and international standards to help ensure compliance with funding requirements, supporting responsible dual use research while protecting national security interests, intellectual property, and research integrity.
“Ontario has all the ingredients to lead in dual-use innovation: talent, research, and industry,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce. Initiatives such as the Dual-Use Readiness Assessment can help businesses navigate complexity, scale faster, and strengthen the supply chains that drive both economic growth and national security.” The event at the Quay was sponsored by eCampusOntario partners, Council of Ontario Universities and Colleges Ontario, whose member institutions lead in the province’s research capacity.
“Ontario’s colleges and polytechnics are uniquely positioned to help turn research into real-world solutions that strengthen Canada’s future,” said Maureen Adamson, President and CEO of Colleges Ontario. “By connecting applied learning, industry partnerships, and innovation, our colleges are helping build the talent, capacity and collaboration needed to support Ontario’s role in the dual-use economy. This work reflects the strength of our sector and the importance of ensuring students, institutions and employers are ready to contribute to a more secure, resilient, and competitive Canada.”
“Ontario’s universities play a vital role in advancing the research, talent, and partnerships that underpin Canada’s innovation capacity,” said Steve Orsini, President and CEO of Council of Ontario Universities. “As the country strengthens its dual-use ecosystem, our universities are helping translate leading-edge research into practical applications that support economic resilience, security, and long-term competitiveness. This work highlights the importance of collaboration across higher education, industry, and government to ensure Ontario remains at the forefront of discovery, commercialization, and national impact.”
To learn more about dual-use research in Ontario, visit defence.ocip.ai.
About eCampusOntario
eCampusOntario is a not-for-profit organization funded by the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, that supports innovation, collaboration and digital-by-design education in Ontario’s publicly assisted colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes.
We provide the sector with platforms, programs, and services to advance digital participation in postsecondary education, connecting Ontario’s postsecondary institutions and learners to the future of learning and the future of work.
