The Coalition québécoise pour la défense et la sécurité (Quebec Defence and Security Coalition) issued a pressing call to political parties on September 28, 2026, ahead of the upcoming provincial elections: the defence industry must be officially recognized as a strategic sector for Quebec's economic prosperity, innovation, and industrial sovereignty. This position comes amid an unprecedented surge in Canada's defence budgets, raising major issues for employment, industrial competitiveness, and Quebec's positioning within global value chains.
A Historic Transformation in the Defence Landscape
Driven by NATO commitments and shifting global geopolitical realities, Canada has embarked on a massive increase in military spending. These investments represent a historic opportunity for Quebec companies operating in aerospace, cybersecurity, dual-use technologies, and advanced manufacturing. However, for Quebec to fully capitalize on this momentum, a coordinated and proactive approach is now urgently required.
A recent Léger poll confirms that defence investments rank among the top priorities for Quebec voters. This signal from the population reflects a growing collective awareness of the importance of this issue — not only for national security, but also for regional economic development and the creation of high-quality, well-paying jobs across Quebec's regions.
Two Priority Measures Called for by the Coalition
To address these structural challenges, the Coalition puts forward two concrete requests to the next Quebec government, deemed essential to accelerating the development of the province's defence sector:
1. Adopt a Quebec Industrial Strategy for Defence and Security
This strategy should ensure better alignment between major federal defence contracts, Quebec's industrial priorities, and the real capabilities of its companies. It must also include tailored financial levers to attract private investment in defence and dual-use technologies — including targeted tax credits, loan guarantee programs, and robust mechanisms to support research and development. Such a strategy would establish a clear roadmap for companies wishing to enter the defence supply chain, strengthen inter-ministerial coordination, and send a strong signal to foreign investors about Quebec's industrial ambitions in this priority field.
2. Leverage the Coalition to Mobilize and Support Companies
Coalition members already maintain close ties with sector companies and offer proven programs and services in business development, networking, and market access for defence. Rather than creating new costly administrative structures, Quebec should build on these existing capabilities to accelerate the integration of Quebec SMEs into the defence supply chain, equipping them with the tools needed to compete at the Canadian and international level.
« Across Canada, ecosystems are being structured to capitalize on the growth of defence markets. Quebec has world-class industrial and technological capabilities. It must now equip itself with concrete tools to support its companies and accelerate the development of this sector. » – Coalition québécoise pour la défense et la sécurité
Major Employment Stakes for Quebec's Aerospace Industry
Quebec's aerospace sector, with approximately 43,000 direct jobs and a supply chain of more than 230 companies, sits at the heart of Quebec's defence sector ambitions. Companies such as Bombardier, CAE, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Bell Textron, and Héroux-Devtek, along with numerous specialized SMEs, represent a world-class industrial base fully capable of meeting the growing needs of Canadian and allied armed forces. This unique concentration of expertise is a competitive advantage Quebec must imperatively leverage.
The rise of the defence sector also opens new employment opportunities in fields such as systems engineering, aeronautical cybersecurity, military aircraft maintenance, advanced structural component manufacturing, and artificial intelligence technologies applied to defence. These high-value-added niches require highly qualified profiles and represent attractive, sustainable career opportunities for Quebec's aerospace engineers, technicians, and industry professionals.
The FCCQ Mobilizes Quebec's Entire Economic Fabric
The Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ), which carries this message on behalf of the Coalition, represents more than 45,000 companies through its network of 120 member chambers of commerce. Its role in mobilizing economic stakeholders around the defence sector demonstrates the cross-cutting importance of this issue for Quebec's entire economy — well beyond the military sector alone. The Coalition reaffirms its commitment to work closely with the next Quebec government and the federal government to ensure that Quebec becomes an essential partner in the new North American and international defence economy.
Working or Looking to Work in Defence or Aerospace in Quebec?
The growth of Quebec's defence sector is already generating new demand for specialized talent. Whether you are a professional seeking new opportunities in this strategic sector, or your company is looking to recruit the talent needed to capture these emerging markets, AeroEmploi is the reference platform for aerospace and defence employment in Quebec. Browse available positions and advance your career today at aeroemploi.ca.