The Prairie Shield Conference will mark the culmination of the first year of the Prairie Shield Initiative, bringing together key stakeholders to reflect on the evolving defence ecosystem in Alberta, the Prairies, and Western Canada. This one-day event will feature expert panels, presentations, and discussions examining the evolution of the defence ecosystem over the past year while identifying opportunities and gaps in strengthening the region’s defence capabilities and industrial capacity for the future.

Key discussion topics will include Alberta’s industrial strengths, the role of post-secondary and research institutions, autonomous systems, Arctic sustainment, ammunition and energetics, and training and evaluation. The conference will bring together representatives from the Canadian Armed Forces, federal and provincial governments, academia, industry, and the next generation of scholars to foster collaboration, exchange ideas, and explore pathways for further advancing Western Canada’s contribution to national defence.