The Defence Industrial Forum
TMAG Global is pleased to host the Defence Industrial Forum at the Rideau Club in Ottawa on May 26, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
​
This forum will serve as a key engagement platform connecting government policy leaders, defence stakeholders, and industry innovators to advance practical discussions surrounding Canada’s evolving defence industrial landscape. The agenda will focus on the implementation of the Defence Industrial Strategy and its “Build, Partner, Buy” framework, with participation from representatives across the Government of Canada’s defence, innovation, procurement, and international engagement ecosystem.
Confirmed and invited participants include representatives from:
​
-
DND IDEaS
-
Borealis
-
Defence Investment Agency
-
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)
-
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
-
Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
-
Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC)
-
Additional government, industry, and allied stakeholders
The forum will be emceed by Mercedes Stephenson, Ottawa Bureau Chief for Global News and host of The West Block.
The program will feature senior-level keynote speakers, panel discussions, and a networking reception following the formal program.
Admission: $100 per guest
.jpg)
​
​
The Rideau Club was officially incorporated on September 18, 1865, making it 22 months older than Canada itself. The Club was founded just one month before Ottawa was established as the nation's capital.
​
The Club was the brainchild of Sir John A. Macdonald and George-Étienne Cartier, along with other prominent figures including Hector Langevin, D'Arcy McGee, M. Laframboise, and Casimir Gzowski. Sir John A. Macdonald served as the Club's first President and, two years later, became the first Prime Minister of Canada. While the earliest surviving minute book dates from 1867, historians believe many of the key discussions leading to Confederation on July 1, 1867, took place within the Club's walls.
​
From its inception, the Rideau Club has boasted a remarkably distinguished membership—a tradition that continues today. In addition to Sir John A. Macdonald, two other Prime Ministers, Sir Robert Borden and Lester B. Pearson, have served as Club Presidents. Currently, the Governor General of Canada, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Commons, and the Chief Justice of Canada are all Honorary Members of the Club.
​
Over its long history, the Rideau Club has welcomed many distinguished visitors. On September 21, 1901, the Club hosted a luncheon for the Duke of Cornwall and York, who later became King George V. More recently, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has visited, as have numerous Governors General and Prime Ministers.
​
The Club's first permanent building was constructed in 1875, but membership soon outgrew it. In 1911, a new building was erected at the corner of Wellington and Metcalfe Streets. That elegant home served members faithfully until a fire tragically destroyed it in 1979. Following the fire, the Club relocated to its present location on the 15th floor of 99 Bank Street.
The Rideau Club is widely regarded as a unique repository of Canada's political and commercial history. Unfortunately, most of the original documents in the Club's archives were lost in the 1979 fire. Nevertheless, the Club continues to act as a custodian of current events and a living piece of Canadian heritage.