Strengthening Canada's Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy

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Nov 26, 2025, 9:00AM - 7PM

Hybrid Event

The Role of IP in the Defence Sector

2025 Speakers

Include

Senator Colin Deacon

Standing Senate Committees on Banking, Commerce and the Economy; Fisheries and Oceans; and Audit and Oversight

Senator Colin Deacon was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 2018. A lifelong entrepreneur, he advocates for innovation and entrepreneurship as tools to build a more inclusive and resilient economy. His work focuses on harnessing the digital economy, strengthening Canada’s competitiveness, and empowering the private sector to take meaningful action on climate change.

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Raquel Garbers

Visiting Executive, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)

Raquel Garbers is a CIGI visiting executive from the Department of National Defence, where she held the role of director general, strategic defence policy, since April 2018. She is also a visiting practitioner with the US Department of Defense (Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies). Raquel served as the principal architect of Canada’s new defence policy, Our North, Strong and Free.

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Carsten Fink

Chief Economist, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Carsten Fink is the Chief Economist at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva. He previously served as Professor of International Economics at the University of St. Gallen and held research positions at Sciences Po in Paris. His work focuses on intellectual property, innovation, and international trade. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Heidelberg.

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Marc-Andre Hawkes

Executive Director, Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy and Partnerships, Global Affairs Canada (GAC)

Marc-André is the Executive Director for Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy and Partnerships at Global Affairs Canada. He leads efforts to strengthen international STI collaboration and research security across federal and provincial agencies. A career diplomat since 2003, he has served in Quito, Miami, and Sydney. He holds a Master’s in Management from Harvard University and teaches at McGill University.

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BGen (Retired) Robert Mazzolin

Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)

Brigadier-General (Retired) Robert Mazzolin is a senior fellow at CIGI and Chief Technology Strategist at RHEA Group, where he guides technology and security initiatives across space, defence, and critical infrastructure sectors. A former senior officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, he held key leadership roles in cyber operations and defence technology. He holds a PhD in Engineering Management and multiple advanced degrees in defence and technology.

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Philippe Hebert

Director General, R&D Innovation, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)

Philippe Hébert is the Director General of R&D Innovation at DRDC, leading key initiatives such as the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program. He ensures Canada’s defence community has access to cutting-edge solutions from Canadian innovators and represents Canada on NATO’s DIANA Board. Previously, he held senior roles in intelligence policy, defence strategy, and international partnerships within National Defence.

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Johanne Belisle

Co-chair, FORPIQ; Former Senior Policy Advisor, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); Former CEO, Canadian Intellectual Property Office

Johanne Bélisle is Co-chair of FORPIQ. She previously served as Senior Policy Advisor at the World Intellectual Property Organization and as CEO of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.

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Clyphendie Louis-Pierre

Director General, Services to Business Branch, Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)

Clyphendie Louis-Pierre is the Director General of the Services to Business Branch at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO).

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Kyle Briggs

Founder, CanInnovate; Entrepreneur-in-Residence, University of Ottawa

Kyle Briggs is the Founder of CanInnovate and serves as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the University of Ottawa.

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David Durand

Co-chair and President, FORPIQ; Durand Lawyers, MVIP

David Durand is Co-chair and President of FORPIQ and represents Durand Lawyers, MVIP.

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Alain Francq

Director, Innovation and Technology, The Conference Board of Canada

Alain Francq is the Director of the Innovation and Technology team at the Conference Board of Canada, where he leads research on Canada’s innovation ecosystem, intellectual property, venture capital, and emerging technologies. He has held senior roles in academia and industry, including at the University of Waterloo, Conestoga College, and in the technology and research sectors.

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Zafer Sonmez

Lead Research Associate, The Conference Board of Canada

Zafer Sonmez is a Lead Research Associate at the Conference Board of Canada. He specializes in regional and national economic analysis with a focus on the geography of innovation. His research includes national innovation performance measurement and the impact of automation on the workforce. He is the main author of the Conference Board’s Innovation Report Card.

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Martin Vezina

Tax Partner and National Leader, Global Investment and Innovation Incentives (Gi3) Practice

Martin Vézina is a Tax Partner and the National Leader for the Global Investment and Innovation Incentives (Gi3) practice. He helps Canadian companies innovate and expand globally by optimizing tax and non-tax incentives. With over 20 years of experience, he advises private and public organizations on tax planning, intellectual property management, and innovation-driven growth.

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FORPIQ 2025

*In light of evolving national priorities and recognition by our NATO allies of the importance of emerging technologies for defence and security, the conference will highlight IP’s critical role in spurring economic growth and securing our innovation pipeline at both national and international levels.

*We will examine the strategic use of intellectual property (IP), IP policy, and IP-related financial incentives around the theme IP in the defence sector.

*Featuring: a diverse range of specialists, including representatives from the defence, trade, IP, and innovation sectors who will ground the discussion with real examples of Canada’s vulnerabilities, opportunities for Canadian IP to address them, and concrete approaches to realizing potential.

In Person - Register Now!

Online - Register Now!