Defence companies call on government, investors for more support

A Dominion Dynamics sentinel tower. (Courtesy: Dominion Dynamics)

Canadian defence firms are calling on governments and investors to more urgently make financial decisions involving the sector.

Eliot Pence, CEO of defence contractor Dominion Dynamics, says for too long Canadian procurement processes have moved too slowly and haven’t favoured domestic companies.

As proof, he points to the many years it took the country to settle on buying F-35s and to pick out what kind of drones it would purchase.

Pence says a better procurement process would make decisions in weekly, daily or even hourly cycles.

While Katheron Intson sees signs the government is coming around in the wake of a tariff dispute, the CEO of drone manufacturer Sentinel R&D says Canadian investors haven’t had the same bravery to support domestic businesses and that needs to change.

When she was raising money for her company last year, she says it was entirely U.S. investors wanting to support her firm.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2026.

Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press