The Canadian Defence Gold Rush episode artwork

EPISODE · May 19, 2026 · 39 MIN

The Canadian Defence Gold Rush

from CANADALAND

Prime Minister Mark Carney wants to turn Canada into a defence powerhouse — and venture capital is racing to cash in. Host Sam Konnert talks to defence experts and industry insiders about the new military-tech gold rush, and asks: can Silicon Valley mentality fix Canada’s stagnant defence sector, or are we scaling up its worst instincts?CORRECTION: at the 26 minute mark, the reporter mistakenly says Christiane Fox was questioned by Conservative MP Damien Kurek before the public accounts committee. In reality, Fox was questioned by Conservative MP Ned Kuruc.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Philippe Lagassé, Samuel Witherspoon, Hugo HodgettBackground reading:Prime Minister Carney launches Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy to strengthen security, create prosperity, and reinforce strategic autonomyDefence tech upstart Dominion Dynamics takes aim at the U.S. giants supplying Canada – The LogicThe defence-tech gold rush is testing the limits of venture capital – The LogicCanada's $1-trillion defence commitment: whose future are we defending? – The Hill TimesMeet Eliot Pence, the man turning Canada’s defence procurement upside down – Be GiantDeputy minister says she was 'advancing diversity' when she hired acquaintance – Ottawa CitizenSponsors: Visit fizz.ca to learn more about Fizz mobile and its long list of added-value features, and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN40 to get 40$ off and 10GB of free data.Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today at douglas.ca/canadalandDid you know we have a monthly supporter exclusive show? Last Thursday on Off The Record, we talked about Social media — what you love and hate. As journalists, we are pretty terminally online, so we wanted to know how you balance social media with real life, and you gave us lots of insight. Check it out, if you haven’t already!To listen to that episode (or if you want to catch up on all the great episodes of Off The Record you’ve missed!) become a supporter at canadaland.com/join.It’s our biggest sale of the year! Save 80% on a Canadaland subscription and become a supporter for only $2/month. You’ll get all of our podcasts ad-free, free access to our live events, and much, much more. What are you waiting for? Go to Canadaland.com/joinStephen Marche will be interviewing Chrystia Freeland LIVE in Toronto in the first edition of The Nuance, a live event series in partnership with the MNJCC. Join us on Sunday, May 24th at 7 pm at the Al Green Theatre. Doors open at 6 pm. Free for Canadaland supporters, or you can become a supporter at the door for only $2 this month. Seating is first-come, first-served.Can't get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prime Minister Mark Carney wants to turn Canada into a defence powerhouse — and venture capital is racing to cash in. Host Sam Konnert talks to defence experts and industry insiders about the new military-tech gold rush, and asks: can Silicon Valley mentality fix Canada’s stagnant defence sector, or are we scaling up its worst instincts?CORRECTION: at the 26 minute mark, the reporter mistakenly says Christiane Fox was questioned by Conservative MP Damien Kurek before the public accounts committee. In reality, Fox was questioned by Conservative MP Ned Kuruc.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Philippe Lagassé, Samuel Witherspoon, Hugo HodgettBackground reading:Prime Minister Carney launches Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy to strengthen security, create prosperity, and reinforce strategic autonomyDefence tech upstart Dominion Dynamics takes aim at the U.S. giants supplying Canada – The LogicThe defence-tech gold rush is testing the limits of venture capital – The LogicCanada's $1-trillion defence commitment: whose future are we defending? – The Hill TimesMeet Eliot Pence, the man turning Canada’s defence procurement upside down – Be GiantDeputy minister says she was 'advancing diversity' when she hired acquaintance – Ottawa CitizenSponsors: Visit fizz.ca to learn more about Fizz mobile and its long list of added-value features, and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN40 to get 40$ off and 10GB of free data.Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today at douglas.ca/canadalandDid you know we have a monthly supporter exclusive show? Last Thursday on Off The Record, we talked about Social media — what you love and hate. As journalists, we are pretty terminally online, so we wanted to know how you balance social media with real life, and you gave us lots of insight. Check it out, if you haven’t already!To listen to that episode (or if you want to catch up on all the great episodes of Off The Record you’ve missed!) become a supporter at canadaland.com/join.It’s our biggest sale of the year! Save 80% on a Canadaland subscription and become a supporter for only $2/month. You’ll get all of our podcasts ad-free, free access to our live events, and much, much more. What are you waiting for? Go to Canadaland.com/joinStephen Marche will be interviewing Chrystia Freeland LIVE in Toronto in the first edition of The Nuance, a live event series in partnership with the MNJCC. Join us on Sunday, May 24th at 7 pm at the Al Green Theatre. Doors open at 6 pm. Free for Canadaland supporters, or you can become a supporter at the door for only $2 this month. Seating is first-come, first-served.Can't get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The Canadian Defence Gold Rush

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The Backbench CANADALAND When the group chat’s spiraling and your For You Page is a trainwreck, it’s hard to know what’s real — or what matters. Canadaland Politics (formerly The Backbench) cuts through the noise with bold questions, sharp analysis, and the political news you actually need.Each Tuesday, we’ll ask bold questions and offer sharp analysis, giving you the tools to challenge any perspective — maybe even your own. Canadaland Politics is made by Noor Azrieh, Aviva Lessard and Sam Konnert. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. What Is Happening Here | Canadaland Investigates Canadaland Statistically, a Jew in Canada is now 9 times more likely to be a victim of a hate crime than a Jew in the United States. How did this happen in a country known for politeness, diversity, and social democracy? Is this even a real phenomenon, or is anti-zionism being misclassified as antisemitism?Journalist and Publisher Jesse Brown is diving deep into the subject, travelling across Canada and speaking with Jews, anti-zionist activists, and high-profile public figures, all of whom have seen their lives change since October 7th, 2023.What Is Happening Here is available now — right here on Canadaland Investigates. Our critically-acclaimed and award-winning limited series, all in one place.canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.co Wag The Doug CANADALAND A monthly podcast grappling with the reality of four more infuriating years with the Fords and what that means for Ontario. Hosted by Allison Smith and Jonathan Goldsbie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. The Imposter CANADALAND Weird art from Canada. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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This episode was published on May 19, 2026.

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Prime Minister Mark Carney wants to turn Canada into a defence powerhouse — and venture capital is racing to cash in. Host Sam Konnert talks to defence experts and industry insiders about the new military-tech gold rush, and asks: can Silicon Valley...

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