Lines of Defence - Women at the Frontlines of Change

Join a high-level, cross-sector gathering of women shaping the next big changes that must happen in the sector to meet the current ambitions Canada's defence future is being shaped now. Be part of the conversation. Canada is making decisions now that will shape its defence and security future for years to come. Who gets to shape those decisions matters. Canada's defence and security sector is entering a period of significant change. Geopolitical pressure, increased investment, new technologies and workforce constraints are reshaping what Canada needs to deliver and who needs to be part of delivering it. Women are already contributing across the defence and security ecosystem. But representation only tells part of the story. Where does power sit? Who shapes the decisions that matter? Where are women within that system, and what determines their ability to influence outcomes? This matters to Canada’s ability to deliver. Structures and systems that limit women’s access to power also limit the sector’s ability to draw fully on their expertise, experience and leadership at a time when Canada needs all three. On October 14, The Power Shift will bring together women from across Canada's defence and security ecosystem to explore these questions and help identify what needs to change. What to expect This is not a traditional conference or networking event. It is a working conversation designed to bring together different perspectives, experiences and parts of the defence and security ecosystem. A senior leadership panel will establish the state of play: what has changed in Canada's security environment, what Canada is trying to accomplish in response, and what that means for the institutions and sectors expected to deliver. The conversation will then turn to where power and decision-making sit within that system and where women fit within that picture. At facilitated working tables, participants will bring these questions into their own experience and look ahead to where change is possible. Where have you been able to influence an important decision? What helped or got in the way? Where is women’s expertise and leadership not yet being fully drawn on? What could change in government, industry or institutions to unlock more of that capacity? Each table will be asked to identify one or two practical recommendations, as well as questions that warrant further work. The discussions will inform a Women in Defence & Security Action Brief, with practical recommendations for government, industry and institutions. The afternoon will conclude with a networking reception and the opportunity to continue the conversation through the Women in Defence & Security Power Shift Circle. Who should be in the room? Women working across: • Canadian Armed Forces and the defence community • Federal departments and agencies • Defence and security industries • Technology, cyber and advanced manufacturing • Infrastructure and supply chains • Academia and research • Other sectors contributing to Canada's defence and security priorities We are bringing together women who already hold significant leadership and decision-making responsibilities, alongside women moving into positions of greater authority. If your work intersects with Canada's defence and security future, you belong in this conversation. What comes next This conversation is designed to lead to action. What we hear in Ottawa, together with subsequent conversations in Halifax and Toronto, will help us identify common barriers, practices that are working, and changes that could make a meaningful difference. The Power Shift will bring those findings together in a Women in Defence & Security Action Brief with practical recommendations for government, industry and institutions — and bring those recommendations directly to the people and organizations with the ability to act on them. The Power Shift Circle will provide a way to continue the work: sharing knowledge across the ecosystem, developing ideas that require deeper exploration and building relationships that can help move them forward. You won't just listen to a conversation. You will help shape the future of the sector.