Resources

Canada’s science and research ecosystem is operating in an increasingly complex threat environment. The research security risks associated with intellectual property, sensitive technologies and confidential information are top of mind at polytechnics that undertake industry-led applied research activities in support of Canadian business innovation.

As Canada seeks to secure sovereign capabilities, the support provided by polytechnics is increasingly aligned with national ambitions and priorities. Polytechnics help partners explore dual-use applications, adopt artificial intelligence and expand international markets. They derisk technology adoption and find solutions to drive productivity and competitiveness. Secure environments and institutional threat readiness is more important than ever.

Polytechnics Canada’s recommendations include:

• Establish dedicated research security funding for polytechnics and colleges
• Develop research security protocols proportionate to risk
• Support institutional cybersecurity readiness and secure research infrastructure
• Build research security capacity across the broader innovation ecosystem

As the Canadian Armed Forces seek to grow their number, one of the foremost recruitment challenges will be to ensure personnel are trained efficiently for critical roles in the military. Timely, high-quality training is essential, particularly since unreasonable delays stand to undermine the best recruitment and retention efforts.

Polytechnics are able to provide practical and relevant training capacity across Canada. They offer facilities, instructors, applied learning environments, employer-connected programs, student supports and experience working with adult learners. Activated appropriately, this capacity can help the CAF expand training throughput, reduce wait times, support members and strengthen the broader defence workforce.

Polytechnics Canada’s recommendations include:

• Create clear partnership pathways
• Use polytechnic capacity to reduce training bottlenecks
• Activate existing talent pipeline solutions
• Build a national network of Defence Skills Centres of Excellence

In November 2024, Polytechnics Canada and Ireland’s Higher Education Authority formalized a shared commitment to strengthen collaboration between Canadian polytechnics and Irish technological universities and institutes of technology. This partnership was grounded in a mutual recognition of common priorities, including advancing teaching and learning practices, supporting applied research and preparing learners with the skills needed to address global challenges such as digital transformation and the green transition.

Building on initial discussions in 2023, the partnership progressed through reciprocal visits to institutions in Ireland and Canada, leading to the launch of eight joint projects in September 2025. These projects, funded through a combined investment of nearly €800,000, represent the broader effort to explore new models of collaboration, innovation and delivery in applied higher education.

In April 2026, a virtual event was held for project leads to share progress and insights with peers. This event encouraged cross-project dialogue, allowed participants to learn from one another and find commonalities to enrich all projects.

The document summarizes key insights from the first phase of the collaboration and highlights progress to-date.

National defence, industrial capacity and innovation policy are increasingly connected. New federal commitments aim to capitalize on an investment in defence to build a stronger R&D ecosystem, drive domestic production and create opportunities to grow exports while supporting Canadian jobs. The opportunity is significant, but so is the challenge – Canada must overcome weak business innovation, lagging productivity and a persistent gap between discovery research strengths and lagging real-world adoption.

Polytechnics Canada’s recommendations include:

• Organize defence research under the Bureau of Research, Engineering and Advanced Leadership in Innovation and Science around a clear pathway from operational need to validated capability
• Mobilize federal research funding by enabling equality of access for polytechnics and universities
• Ensure the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program’s (NRC IRAP) Defence Industry Assist includes a structured defence-readiness and onboarding pathway for small- and medium-sized businesses