Invest Barrie is proud to partner with the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) and BDC on the November 17 Manufacturing Excellence Forum in Barrie, Ontario.
EMC’s special half-day forum will bring Canadian manufacturers together with industry leaders, stakeholders, government, and solution providers to explore new domestic growth opportunities emerging from Canada’s increased investment in defence, infrastructure, housing, and mining, alongside trade, tariff, and supply chain shifts.
The focus is practical, actionable insights – helping manufacturers replace imports with domestic production, access new B2B markets, strengthen supply chains, and build the capabilities required to scale.
This event is free for manufacturers to attend.
Agenda
7:30 AM – Registration & Networking Breakfast
Connect with fellow manufacturers, supply chain partners, speakers, and sponsors – full breakfast included.
8:00 AM – Opening Remarks: Manufacturing Resilience & Growth in a Changing Economy
Welcome and context-setting from EMC leadership, framing the day around domestic opportunity creation, supply chain resilience, and the critical role manufacturers play in Canada’s economic future.
8:30 AM – Workshop: Defence Sector / Domestic Supply Opportunities for Canadian Manufacturers
An expert-led session outlining where manufacturers fit within Canada’s growing defence, infrastructure, construction, and resource-related supply chains.
9:30 – 10:00 AM – Networking Break
10:00 AM – Panel Discussion: How Manufacturers Are Successfully Entering Defence & Domestic Supply Chains
Manufacturers share real-world experiences entering or expanding within domestic (West-East), defence, infrastructure, and industrial supply chains.
10:45 AM – Concurrent Sessions
A) Unlock Growth Opportunities in Canada’s Expanding Defence Sector, by BDC
Canada’s fast-growing defence sector is opening new opportunities for innovative SMEs in advanced manufacturing, technology, cybersecurity, robotics, AI, and dual-use industries. In this interactive session, BDC’s Defence Team will outline how Canadian businesses can access defence supply chains, secure financing, navigate procurement, accelerate commercialization, and expand globally through BDC’s dedicated Defence Platform.
B) Controlled Goods Program, by Dominic Dubé, Education Program Officer, Controlled Goods Program, Government of Canada.
A high-level overview of Canada’s Controlled Goods Program and its relevance to organizations and individuals who may handle controlled goods. It will explain what controlled goods are, how to determine whether goods fall under the program and clarify who is required to register and who is not. The presentation will also define three key concepts – examine, possess, and transfer and outline two critical roles within the program and the responsibilities associated with each. Finally, you will be provided a walk through of the registration process and required documentation.
11:45 AM – Lunch
12:30 PM – Networking Roundtable Sessions
A) Invest Barrie
B) Controlled Goods
C) Finance
D) Cybersecurity for Defence
1:30 PM – Adjourn
About Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC)
Founded on a commitment to collaboration, trust and innovative leadership, Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) stands out today as an inclusive and diverse not-for-profit organization supporting the growth and success of more than 18,000 manufacturing companies representing over 700,000 of their employees across Canada. For more than a quarter-century, now as Canada’s largest and most active manufacturing consortium, EMC is responsible for contributing significant knowledge, expertise and resources towards advancing the Canadian manufacturing sector.
About Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) supports small and medium-sized businesses in all industries and at every stage of growth with money and advice including flexible financing, consulting and smart capital access.
Meet Barrie's Defence & Security Sector
Barrie is emerging as a hub for the defence and security sector in Central Ontario, strategically positioned to support industrial suppliers seeking opportunities within Canada’s growing defence, dual-use, aerospace, and security industries. Learn more about the sector here.
