Wednesday, December 3, 2025
150 Elgin Street, Suite 1800, Ottawa, Ontario
The Conference of Defence Associations Institute (CDA Institute) is pleased to invite you to an exclusive Chatham House workshop on Sustaining Canada’s Future Submarine Fleet. This event will bring together experts from government, industry, and academia to examine Canada’s progress on renewing its submarine fleet, how public support and interest can be sustained for this capability, and the role submarines play in securing Canada’s national and international interests.
Key issues of discussion will include sustainment, recruitment and retention, agile procurement, interoperability and information sharing, the successes and challenges of allied procurement arrangements, and the role submarines play in Canada’s maritime strategy.
Event Schedule:
0845–0915 | Registration & Coffee
0915–0925 | Welcome & Introductory Remarks
Master of Ceremonies: VAdm (Ret’d) Robert Davidson and RAdm (Ret’d) Luc Cassivi
0925–0930 | Transition Break
0930–1030 | Panel One: The Big Picture, Alliances, and Strategy
Moderator: VAdm (Ret’d) Bob Davidson
- Dr. Rob Huebert, Director, Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
- Dr. Adam P. MacDonald, Strategic Analyst (Contractor), Department of National Defence
- James Boutilier, Former Special Advisor (Policy) Canada’s Maritime Forces Pacific HQ
- Gordon Venner, Former Associate Deputy Minister of Defence
1030–1130 | Panel Two: Procurement, Sustainment, and Recruitment
Moderator: RAdm (Ret’d) Luc Cassivi
- Dr. Philippe Lagassé, Associate Professor and Barton Chair, NPSIA
- Dr. Paul T. Mitchell, Department Chair, Military Plans & Operations, CFC
- Captain (Ret’d) Norman Jolin, CFN Consultants
- Daniel Kerry, Director within the Finance Team, Deloitte
1130–1230 | Networking Lunch Break
1230–1300 | Keynote
To Be Announced
1300–1400 | Plenary Session
1400 | Concluding Remarks
Master of Ceremonies: VAdm Robert Davidson (Ret’d) and RAdm (Ret’d) Luc Cassivi
