CANSEC expo expects up to 20,000 attendees

Canada’s largest defense and security exposition is experiencing unprecedented growth this week, with organizers forecasting a major surge in attendance driven by heightened geopolitical tensions and a renewed federal focus on military investment. The CANSEC trade show, held in Ottawa, expects a 20 to 40 percent increase in attendees, potentially drawing up to 20,000 people to the Cohere Centre, a venue that has been expanded with temporary structures to accommodate the demand.

Christyn Cianfarani, president of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries, which hosts the event, said the industry is responding to clear signals from the government. She noted a belief that the current administration wants to see action on defense and is backing its ambitions with concrete steps. Prime Minister Mark Carney has championed increased domestic defense spending and “Buy Canadian” policies aimed at reducing the flow of defense procurement dollars to the United States, a shift that has captured the sector’s attention.

The event serves as a major marketplace where hundreds of companies showcase products ranging from drone prototypes to replica aircraft. It also functions as...