Lapointe Brings Sudbury’s Mining Leaders and Innovators to the Table as Federal Defence Strategy Opens New Doors

SUDBURY - Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, convened a high-impact roundtable on Wednesday, bringing together close to 30 local businesses, economic development agencies, innovation hubs, and educational institutions to map out Sudbury’s role in the federal government’s new Defence Industrial Strategy.

The closed-door session focused on translating the federal government’s “Build, Partner, Buy” framework into concrete economic opportunities for the Sudbury region. With Canada deepening its multilateral engagement through the G-7 Critical Minerals Production Alliance, the Security Action for Europe initiative, and the newly established Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, the roundtable explored how Sudbury’s world-class expertise in mining, metallurgy, and industrial innovation can fuel both continental defence priorities and local economic growth.

“Sudbury has always been a city that builds things that work in some of the toughest environments,” said MP Lapointe. “The expertise we’ve built over the years in our mining and refinery capabilities are exactly what Canada needs to secure its critical mineral supply chains and modernize its defence industrial base. Today was about connecting our local capabilities with federal funding streams and making sure Sudbury is at the front of the line when it comes to these opportunities.”

Participants represented a cross-section of Sudbury’s innovation ecosystem, including mining technology firms, advanced manufacturers, post-secondary institutions, Indigenous economic development organizations, and innovation hubs such as NORCAT and CEMI. Discussions centered on dual-use technologies as well as workforce development, critical minerals processing, and securing supply chain contracts.

Lapointe highlighted the opportunities for Sudbury on the federal government’s search for dual-use technology. “The same technology that keeps a miner safe 3,000 feet underground can keep a soldier safe in a contested environment. And the same expertise in extracting nickel and copper—metals essential for guided missile systems—positions us at the center of continental security,” she noted.

“The calibre of expertise in the room was exceptional,” said Chamirai Charles Nyabeze with CEMI/MICA. “MP Lapointe created a forum that moved us beyond identifying challenges to actively shaping collaborative, consortia-based solutions. Sudbury has the talent, infrastructure, and now greater visibility into federal procurement pathways that were previously inaccessible.”

“MP Viviane Lapointe’s roundtable was a landmark moment for Sudbury’s business community. The federal government’s commitment, backed by real speed and deliberate, actionable support, is exactly the signal our region has been waiting for. Sudbury’s businesses each bring world-class talent and capability to the table individually. But when we operate collectively, as a unified innovation ecosystem, what we can offer Canada’s defence and critical minerals priorities is extraordinary. This is Sudbury’s moment, and we are absolutely ready to answer the call,” said Daryl Adams, Veteran and president of RufDiamond Ltd.

“This is not a one-off conversation,” said MP Lapointe. “I am committed to ensuring that Sudbury’s businesses and institutions have the support they need to compete for these contracts. We have the expertise, we have the drive, and now we have a federal government that is prioritizing building defence and critical mineral capacity right here in Canada. Sudbury will answer that call.”

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