SKN  | BMO and IIF Convene Defence Finance Forum to Mobilize Private Capital in Canada

Key Points

• BMO and the Institute of International Finance will host a defence finance forum in Toronto on October 22, 2026, bringing together leaders from government, finance, technology and industry.
• Discussions will focus on mobilizing private capital for defence, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, critical minerals and sovereign space capabilities.
• The initiative highlights the role of financial institutions and coordinated policy frameworks in strengthening Canada’s industrial capacity, data security and long-term economic resilience.

Mobilizing Private Capital for Strategic Priorities

BMO and the Institute of International Finance (IIF) are scheduled to host the BMO and IIF Defence Finance Forum on October 22, 2026, at First Canadian Place in Toronto. BMO, identified as the official bank of the Canadian Defence Community, will join the IIF in convening senior representatives from government, finance, technology and industry.

The forum will examine how Canada can mobilize private capital to support defence-related investment, develop critical infrastructure and sustain long-term economic growth. The agenda also emphasizes strengthening domestic industrial capacity and improving data security through closer collaboration among industry participants.

For financial institutions and investors, the discussions reflect the growing intersection of national security, infrastructure development and capital allocation. Coordinated financing approaches may help address the scale and complexity of projects that require sustained investment across multiple sectors.

Financing Defence and Critical Infrastructure

The one-day event is expected to feature Doug Guzman, chief executive officer of the Defence Investment Agency, and General Wayne Eyre, former chief of the Defence Staff of Canada.

Participants are expected to examine innovative financing structures that could support investment in defence capabilities, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity and industrial capacity. These discussions will also consider the conditions required to attract private-sector funding alongside public-sector priorities.

The forum’s agenda includes expanding Canada’s capabilities in critical minerals, defence training and sovereign space infrastructure. These areas connect national security objectives with industrial development and the need for reliable domestic capabilities.

However, mobilizing private capital will depend on more than the availability of financing. Investors and financial institutions typically require clarity regarding policy direction, regulatory requirements, project structures and the allocation of risk. The forum is expected to address the role of supportive policy and regulatory frameworks in enabling investment.

AI, Data Security and Institutional Collaboration

Artificial intelligence leadership, digital infrastructure and data security are also expected to feature prominently. These priorities highlight the relationship between technological competitiveness and the protection of sensitive information across government and industry.

Greater coordination among financial institutions, public authorities and private-sector organizations could help align investment decisions with Canada’s broader strategic objectives. For financial institutions, participation in these initiatives may also require careful consideration of cybersecurity standards, operational resilience and the governance of sensitive data.

The announcement identifies participating organizations as part of the forum’s broader agenda, although the available source text does not provide the complete list.

Closing Insights

The BMO and IIF Defence Finance Forum places private capital at the centre of discussions about Canada’s defence capabilities, infrastructure and technological resilience. Its significance will depend on whether dialogue among financial institutions, government and industry translates into viable financing structures, clearer investment frameworks and projects capable of attracting sustained capital.

For investors and financial decision-makers, the broader consideration is how national security priorities may influence long-term infrastructure requirements, industrial investment and the allocation of capital across strategic sectors. The forum provides a setting to examine these issues, but specific investment opportunities and outcomes remain dependent on subsequent policy decisions and project development.

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