Alberta’s business-friendly policies, strategic investments and applied research at post-secondary institutions are positioning the province as a fast-growing hub for aerospace, aviation and defence. Building on our connectivity advantages, the establishment of an aerospace innovation hub – along with more than 150 defence-related companies based in Calgary – is helping the sector expand and support continued economic diversification.
Alberta Next brings experienced stakeholders and thought leaders together to discuss the most pressing challenges facing our business community. The series explores how Alberta is uniquely positioned to lead Canada in key sectors through innovation and determination.
Agenda
This half-day event is filled with networking opportunities, two panel discussions and a keynote address.
Time
Session
1:00PM
Registration opens
1:30PM
Opening remarks
1:45PM
Keynote
2:00PM
Fireside Chat
2:30PM
Panel 1: Building Alberta’s strategic advantage
3:25PM
Coffee break
3:40PM
Panel 2: Canada’s path to security and self-reliance
4:45PM
Networking reception
6:00PM
Event conclusion
Keynote
Keynote | 1:45PM – 2:30PM
We’re excited to kick off the event with an industry expert sharing their insights and future outlook. Our speaker will also join Deborah Yedlin for a fireside chat to answer our pressing questions about the industry. To get the latest updates, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Speaker to be announced
Speaker title | Company name
About speaker
More information about our speakers to come soon. To get the latest updates, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Building Alberta's strategic advantage
Panel 1 | 2:30PM – 3:25PM
Canada is entering a new era of opportunity in aerospace and defence and Alberta is well positioned to play a significant role. With world-class talent, a strong industrial base, innovative companies and a growing technology ecosystem, the province has many of the ingredients needed to become a national leader.
So how can Alberta build on this momentum and more fully integrate into Canada’s emerging defence strategy? This panel will bring together leaders to explore the opportunities ahead, from federal procurement and infrastructure to workforce development, investment, innovation and industry partnerships and discuss how Alberta can strengthen its role in building a more secure and competitive Canada.
John Edelman
Vice-President, Defence, Canada |AtkinsRéalis
About speaker
John Edelman is Vice-President, Defence, Canada at AtkinsRéalis, where he leads the company’s defence business nationally, supporting military infrastructure and pan-domain defence initiatives.
A veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force with 32 years of service, including a deployment to Afghanistan, John brings more than 40 years of combined military and industry experience. He works with governments, armed forces and industry partners to help deliver the next generation of Canadian defence capabilities.
Spencer Fraser
Founder & CEO | Landing Zones Canada
About speaker
Spencer Fraser brings more than 40 years of experience across Canada’s defence and industrial sectors. His career includes serving as CEO of Meggitt Training Systems Canada, founding and leading Federal Fleet Services, and founding the Canadian Centre for Unmanned Vehicle Systems (CCUVS). He is also the inventor of the Hammerhead Unmanned Surface Vessel-Target and has overseen the development, construction, and operation of more than 2,000 uncrewed vehicle systems.
Dame Kimberley Van Vliet, D StG
Founder & CEO | ConvergX
About speaker
Kim Van Vliet is the Founder and CEO of ConvergX®, ConvergX® Xpand™ and WāVv Business Development Inc., which connect innovators, industry, investors and government across aerospace, defence, security and space. Over 25 years, her work has spanned aerospace, defence, energy, innovation and capital markets, with a focus on turning Canadian technology into defence capability and commercial growth.
She serves as Strategic Advisor to the Government of Alberta on aerospace, defence, security, space and NATO matters. She is one of three members of Canada’s delegation to the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) and is Industry Co-Chair of the NIAG–Allied Command Transformation relationship. Kim helped create the NATO Open Innovation Conference and Expo and leads the ConvergX® Global Congress, which marked its 10th anniversary in 2026. She has been involved with the Alberta Aviation, Aerospace and Defence Council for about 25 years.
Based in Calgary, Kim is focused on positioning Alberta as a core contributor to Canada’s defence strategy and to Allied supply chains
Moderator: Kerri Lui
Partner | Torys LLP
About speaker
Kerri maintains a general corporate transactional practice with a focus on projects in the energy and defence industries.
She regularly advises developers, acquirers, joint ventures and investors on matters relating to the entire lifecycle of a project, including in respect of private mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, corporate governance matters, procurements, and project agreements. Her experience also includes advising both Canadian and international borrowers and financial institutions through secured lending and project finance transactions for both construction and term debt.
Kerri has worked on a broad range of power generation projects, including wind, solar, energy storage, natural gas, biomass, hydro, nuclear, geothermal and district energy, as well as transmission projects. She has also represented several defence prime contractors in respect of supply agreements and other matters relating to major Canadian federal procurements.
Canada's path to security and self-reliance
Panel 2 | 3:40PM – 4:30PM
What will it take for Canada to build a more secure, self-reliant future?
Canada is in the midst of its largest defence transformation in a generation, working to build domestic capability, modernize procurement and diversify its industrial partnerships. The regions and industries best positioned to lead that shift will shape the country’s security and prosperity for decades to come.
This panel looks ahead to what a more secure, self-reliant Canada requires from domestic manufacturing capacity to critical infrastructure and next-generation technology. Panelists will discuss how growing Alberta’s aerospace and defence sector contributes to that national effort and what it will take for Canada to build lasting strength at home.
Andre Delhommeau
Director, Defence Industry Expertise | BDC
About speaker
Andre Delhommeau joined the BDC team in April 2026 as Director, Defence Industry Expertise after serving more than 30 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, retiring as a Colonel, Logistics Officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Andre served at the Squadron and Wing level at 8 Wing Trenton several times during his military career, including unit command. He was fortunate to serve with our NATO allies at CC-Air HQ Ramstein, Germany, working in the Tactical Evaluation Division.
He spent time in various demanding roles in Ottawa including working in Material Group, Canadian Joint Operations Command and twice working in the Strategic Joint Staff, including as Director of Support Operations. As Formation Commander, Andre led Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau) and spent time as the Special Advisor to the Chief Professional Conduct and Culture.
Operationally, Andre deployed three times, twice while in Command. He deployed to ISAF HQ in Kabul, Afghanistan as a staff officer in the Air Component Coordination Element and was a member of the “Frozen Chosen” as the Commanding Officer of Canadian Forces Station Alert, the northernmost permanently inhabited place on earth. Finally, he deployed as the Canadian Task Force Commander/KFOR Chief of the Joint Logistics Operations Centre for Op KOBOLD in Kosovo.
Andre is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) Kingston, of the Joint Command and Staff Program, and the National Security Programme. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master Defence Studies. He is married and is the proud father of two fabulous children.
More speakers to be announced
Speaker title | Company name
About speaker
More information about our speakers to come soon. To get the latest updates, subscribe to our newsletter here.
