Canada’s renewed focus on national security, defence investment, supply chain resilience, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure is creating new opportunities for businesses across the defence ecosystem, while increasing regulatory and market complexity.
Miller Thomson’s Defence, Security and Aerospace Industry Group advises Canadian and international businesses, financial institutions and investors operating, investing and pursuing opportunities across the defence ecosystem. Our multidisciplinary team delivers practical, business-oriented advice on government procurement, regulatory compliance, financing and capital markets, transactions, strategic growth and operational risk in an increasingly complex environment.
We advise prime contractors, subcontractors, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), emerging and dual-use technology companies, manufacturers, financial institutions and other lenders, investors and private equity sponsors, infrastructure developers, and businesses in adjacent sectors whose operations intersect with defence, security, aerospace or government procurement requirements.
Tailored legal support across the defence sector
Our multidisciplinary team provides integrated legal services to organizations operating in or adjacent to the defence, security and aerospace ecosystem, including:
- Procurement, Contracting & Public Funding: Advice on federal and provincial procurement, bid preparation, government and commercial contracting, compliance and disputes, as well as government funding, grants, SR&ED and other R&D incentives and Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) obligations.
- National Security, Foreign Investment & Trade Controls: Advice on national security and foreign investment reviews, including under the Investment Canada Act, as well as the Controlled Goods Program, Contract Security Program, sanctions, export controls, customs and cross-border trade requirements.
- Infrastructure, Real Estate & Major Projects: Counsel on defence, transportation, shipbuilding, aerospace and other major projects, including development, real property acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, environmental assessment and remediation, permitting, zoning, and Indigenous consultation and accommodation.
- M&A, Corporate Transactions & Financings: Counsel on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, partnerships, restructurings, and distribution, supply and other commercial arrangements.
- Financing & Capital Markets: Advice to businesses, financial institutions, lenders, investors and private capital sponsors on secured and unsecured lending, acquisition and project financing, debt and equity financing, private capital and public offerings, and other financing transactions.
- Tax: Tax-efficient structuring for transactions, investments and supply chains, including transfer pricing and cross-border planning.
- Intellectual Property & Innovation: Protection and commercialization of proprietary technologies, software and other intellectual property, including trade secrets and confidential information, technology transfers, and ownership of government-funded R&D.
- Cybersecurity, Data Protection & Emerging Technologies: Advice on cybersecurity readiness and incident response, privacy and data protection, AI governance, supply chain security, controlled unclassified information safeguards, and secure technology adoption.
- Compliance, ESG & Disputes: Internal investigations, compliance and governance programs, sustainability and ESG disclosure, crisis response, regulatory proceedings, procurement disputes and complex litigation.
- Labour, Employment & Workforce Security: Advice on workforce mobility, security clearances, workplace investigations and labour relations in regulated environments.
How Miller Thomson can help
Miller Thomson helps Canadian and international businesses, financial institutions and investors navigate opportunities in Canada’s complex and regulated defence ecosystem. Our multidisciplinary team provides coordinated, practical advice across the business lifecycle, from market entry, procurement and regulatory approvals to transactions, financing, operations, exports and risk management.
Awards and accolades
- Chambers and Partners: Banking & Finance (Chambers Global, Chambers Canada); General Business Law, Transportation – Rail & Road, Employment & Labour (Chambers Canada)
- Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Corporate Commercial Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Transportation – Road & Rail, Litigation – Corporate Commercial, Construction Law, Labour Relations
- The Legal 500 – Canada: Corporate M&A, Banking & Finance, Tax, Transport, Intellectual Property, Labour and Employment, Construction
- IFLR1000: M&A, Banking
- Best Law Firms™ – Canada: Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Banking and Finance Law, Securities Law, Tax Law, Energy Regulatory Law; Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Labour and Employment Law
