Veteran Bernard Derible tasked with promoting Ontario’s defence industry and expanding export opportunities
TORONTO — The Ontario government has appointed Bernard Derible as the province’s first-ever Ontario Military Defence Representative (OMDR), a new role aimed at strengthening the province’s position in the global defence supply chain and attracting international investment to its defence manufacturing sector.
The position will focus on promoting Ontario’s defence industry in international markets, helping local companies secure export opportunities and positioning the province as a trusted supplier of defence equipment and advanced technologies to allied nations.
Ontario officials say the role comes as Canada and its NATO allies dramatically increase defence spending amid rising geopolitical tensions and shifting global security priorities.
“With Canada and its allies making investments into the defence sector at a scale that has not been seen since the height of the Cold War, Ontario’s Military Defence Representative will ensure that the province’s economy stands to benefit,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “As our government continues to build upon Ontario’s reputation as a trusted and reliable supplier to the world, this new role will ensure our manufacturers and workers are at the heart of these global equipment and technology investments, while expanding their own defence exports to new markets.”
Derible, a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, brings extensive international experience to the role. He previously served as a senior military officer with the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and has worked extensively with international organizations and governments on security, emergency preparedness and humanitarian initiatives.
His background includes leading pandemic response planning and refugee support programs in regions including the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Derible currently serves as Ontario’s Agent-General in Southeast Asia based in Bangkok, Thailand. He will continue in that position while also serving as Ontario’s Military Defence Representative, allowing the province to leverage existing international resources without expanding the ministry’s budget.
The Ontario government said the position will be unpaid and carried out alongside Derible’s existing responsibilities.
Strategic push for defence investment and exports
Ontario’s defence industry includes more than 300 companies employing about 13,000 workers across the province and generating more than $5 billion in annual revenue. The sector spans a wide range of advanced manufacturing and technology fields, including combat vehicle production, aircraft and aerospace components, and command-and-control systems.
Provincial officials say the new defence representative will work to connect Ontario companies with international partners while identifying high-value investments that strengthen the province’s domestic defence production capacity and supply-chain resilience.
The move also aligns with broader efforts by the Ontario government to secure Toronto as the headquarters of the newly proposed Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB), a multilateral financial institution intended to fund defence and security projects among NATO members and allied countries.
If selected, the bank’s headquarters could bring an estimated 3,500 direct jobs to Canada. The federal government has not yet announced whether it will formally support Toronto’s bid.
Ontario and the City of Toronto continue to prepare their proposal, backed by finance, technology, manufacturing, academic and government leaders across the province.
Defence sector poised for expansion
Ontario officials argue that the province is well positioned to capture a larger share of global defence investment thanks to its advanced manufacturing base, technology ecosystem and access to critical minerals used in defence and aerospace production.
Canada has committed to meeting NATO’s target of spending five per cent of gross domestic product on defence by 2035, a shift that could translate into roughly $150 billion annually in military, industrial and infrastructure-related investment.
Provincial ministers say the scale of upcoming spending creates long-term opportunities for Ontario manufacturers and skilled workers.
“Ontario’s defence sector is powered by more than 13,000 highly skilled workers who are helping build the equipment, technology and supply chains our allies rely on. The appointment of Bernard Derible will help position Ontario as a trusted defence partner and expand new opportunities for Ontario workers and manufacturers around the world. Our government will continue to invest in the training and supports needed to keep our world-class workforce strong and competitive on the global stage.”
- David Piccini
Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
Ontario’s post-secondary institutions are also expected to play a role in supporting the industry’s growth by supplying talent and research capabilities.
“Bolstered by a robust pipeline of talent from our colleges, universities, and research institutes, Ontario’s defence industry is ready to lead and protect our allies on the global stage. With our new Military Defence Representative, our government is ensuring that the world has access to the exceptional companies, products, and skilled workers our province has to offer.”
- Nolan Quinn
Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security
The province is also emphasizing the strategic importance of critical minerals such as nickel, cobalt and platinum-group elements, which are essential to defence technologies and advanced manufacturing.
“With the backdrop of increasing geopolitical conflict and instability, Ontario is doubling down on building a world-class defence industrial base. Ontario is accelerating the responsible development of resources like nickel, cobalt, and platinum-group elements that are essential to the advanced technologies and hardware relied upon by allied nations. I want to congratulate Bernard Derible on his appointment as Ontario’s first Military Defence Representative as we work to scale advanced made-in-Canada defence supply chains that protect our security while growing our economy.”
- Stephen Lecce
Minister of Energy and Mines
The government says the new role is intended to help ensure Ontario companies are positioned to benefit from the expected surge in defence procurement and international collaboration in the coming decade.