en event

Resilience

Science, Engineering and Innovation
in Support of Canada's Resilience
and Technological Sovereignty

2026, October 15 and 16

Science, Engineering and Innovation in Support of Canada's Resilience and Technological Sovereignty

Against a backdrop marked by accelerating technological change and a proliferation of complex crises, Polytechnique Montréal will bring together researchers, government representatives, industry leaders, and strategic partners on October 15 and 16, 2026, to collectively reflect on the challenges of technological sovereignty and societal resilience. This strategic summit aims to highlight the ways in which science, engineering, and technology can help address these challenges effectively and sustainably.

Through keynote presentations, interdisciplinary discussions, and scientific workshops, the event will explore the major geopolitical, technological, and environmental transformations shaping our era. It will showcase emerging solutions stemming from research and engineering that can strengthen Canada's resilience and enhance its capacity to adapt in an ever-changing environment.

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Word from the General Directorate

Canada is already distinguished by its scientific expertise and by practical solutions that strengthen its resilience and technological sovereignty. Resilience 2026 provides an opportunity to bring these achievements together, foster collaboration across disciplines, and share experiences in order to go further and amplify the impact of these advancements. Together, let us take another step forward.

Maud Cohen, President
Foutse Khomh, Vice President of Research and Innovation

Word from the Scientific Committee

Resilience 2026 must be a gathering that advances science and technology while helping to build a more resilient and technologically sovereign Canada. That is why we set out to create a rigorous and interdisciplinary program that showcases cutting-edge research and brings together leading experts whose work is advancing scientific and technical knowledge. Our goal? To spark meaningful discussion and inspire new perspectives on the challenges ahead.

Gunes Karabulut Kurt, Full Professor of Electrical Engineering
Oussama Moutanabbir, Full Professor of Engineering Physics and Scientific Director of the Lassonde Institute for Disruptive Innovation

Programme

Day 1 - October 15

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Moderator: Ilrick Duhamel, journalist at Radio-Canada

8:00 a.m. – Registration and Networking
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building

8:30 a.m. – Official Opening
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building

• Maud Cohen, President
• Foutse Khomh, Vice President of Research and Innovation

9:00 a.m. – Opening Keynote Address
Science and Innovation: Drivers of Leadership in a Transforming World
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building

• The Honourable Jean Charest, Partner, Therrien, Couture, Joli-Coeur, Premier of Québec (2003-2012), Deputy Prime Minister of Canada (1993), Member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada

9:30 a.m. – Panel Discussion
Building Resilience: Scientific, Industrial and Strategic Alliances
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building

Moderator
• Ilrick Duhamel, Journalist, Radio-Canada
Experts
• Jean-François Juneau, Acting Senior Director, Defence Industrial Strategy, DND
• Michel Richer, President, Bell AI Fabric
• Laurent Lenoir, Expert Advisor in Technology Vision, Research Institute of Hydro-Quebec

10:15 a.m. – Break and Networking

10:30 a.m. – ANTICIPATE – SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOPS

Forecasting Crises and Supporting Decision-Making
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building
Ensuring the Health of Canadians
Rolland Gallery - 6th floor, Main Building

11:30 a.m. – Panel Discussion
Intellectual Property and Technological Sovereignty
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building

Moderator
• Marie-Josée Turgeon, Chief Executive Officer, Centre de Collaboration MiQro Innovation (C2MI)
Experts
• François Crémet, Vice President - BDC Capital
• Velko Tzolov, General Director, Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre

12:00 p.m. – Lunch
Cafeteria - 1st floor, Main Building

1:00 p.m. – Fireside chat with Mona Nemer, Chief Science Advisor of Canada
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building

Moderator
• Nathalie De Marcellis-Warin, Chief Executive Officer, IVADO

1:45 p.m. – MOBILIZE– SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOPS

Develop the invisible infrastructure
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building
Deploying Autonomous Mobility Solutions
Rolland Gallery - 6th floor, Main Building

2:45 p.m. – Break and Networking

3:00 p.m. – Panel Discussion
Mobilizing the Industrial Ecosystem: A Winning Business-University Partnership
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building

Moderator
• Pierre Graff, Chief Executive Officer, Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec (RJCCQ)
Experts
• Louis Girardin, Chief Executive Officer, Safran Electronics and Defense Canada
• Manon Duclos, Chief Executive Officer, Technum Quebec
• Robert Asselin, Chief Executive Officer, U15 Canada
• Sébastien Mousseau, Chief Operating Officer, Canada, Global Market Lead - Power & Renewables, AtkinsRéalis

4:00 p.m. – Closing Remarks
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building

4:15 p.m. – Networking Cocktail Reception
Cafeteria - 1st floor, Main Building

5:30 p.m. – End of Day One

Day 2 - October 16

par Coming Soon

Moderator: Ilrick Duhamel, journalist at Radio-Canada

8:00 a.m. – Registration and Networking
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building

8:30 a.m. – Opening by the Resilience 2026 Scientific Committee
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building

9:00 a.m. – Panel Discussion
The Arctic and Territorial Sovereignty
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building

Moderator
• Patrice Lavoie, Chief Strategy & Investment | Partner, Tessellate Robotics
Experts
• Magali Vullierme, Researcher, Observatoire de la Politique et de la Sécurité de l'Arctique (OPSA, ENAP)
• Jean-Éric Tremblay, Professor and Scientific Director, Institut nordique du Québec

9:45 a.m. – Fireside chat with Alain Cohen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marconi Technologies
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building

10:30 a.m. – Break and Networking

11:00 a.m. – PROTECT– SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOPS

Ensuring the Operational Continuity of Essential Services
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building
Securing Strategic Supply Chains
Rolland Gallery - 6th floor, Main Building

12:00 p.m. – Lunch
Cafeteria - 1st floor, Main Building

1:00 p.m. – Panel Discussion
Cybersecurity, Digital Infrastructure and Telecommunications
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building

Moderator
• Marc Gervais, Executive Director, Multidisciplinary Institute for Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience (IMC2)
Experts
• Li Li, Scientific, Centre de recherches d’Ottawa, Defence Research and Development Canada, National Defence, Gouvernment of Canada
• Olivier Blazy, Professor and Scientific Director, Centre interdisciplinaire d’études sur la défense et la sécurité (CIEDS) de l'Institut Polytechnique de Paris
• Frédérick Lessard, Supervisor Partnerships, Canadian Centre for Cyber Security

1:45  p.m. – ADAPT – SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOPS

Advancing the Energy Transition
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building
Adapt our infrastructure to extreme weather events
Rolland Gallery - 6th floor, Main Building

2:45  p.m. – Event Wrap-Up
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building

3:15  p.m. – Closing Remarks and Conclusion
Bernard‑Lamarre Amphitheatre - 6th floor, Main Building

Scientific Workshops

ANTICIPATE

Forecasting Crises and Supporting Decision-Making

Tomorrow’s crises often begin to take shape long before they emerge. As risks become increasingly complex, the ability to anticipate them depends on a deeper understanding of data, systems, and their interactions. This session explores how science and advanced technologies can inform decision-making and strengthen prevention capabilities.

Scientific capabilities and technologies: data science, monitoring systems, modelling and simulation, digital twins, artificial intelligence.

Lead

Catherine Morency, Full Professor, Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montreal

Experts

Martin Trépanier, Full Professor,

Department of Mathematical and Industrial Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal

Sun Lijin, Professor, McGill University

Louiselle Sioui, Urban Transportation Planning Engineer, Ministère des Transports du Québec

Alizadeh Hamzeh, Director data and analysis, ARTM

Ensuring the Health of Canadians

Health emergencies require rapid, coordinated, and sovereign responses. From prevention to biomedical innovation, research plays a critical role in protecting populations. This session highlights the scientific capabilities that help anticipate risks, accelerate the development of solutions, and strengthen the resilience of Canada’s healthcare system.

Scientific capabilities and technologies: biomanufacturing, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, digital health, epidemiological modelling.

Lead

Gregory de Crescenzo, Full Professor, Chemical Engineering Departement, Polytechnique Montréal

Expert

Yves Brun, Full Professor, Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal

Patrick Daoust, Business Development Manager, Biologics Manufacturing Canada

MOBILIZE

Develop the invisible infrastructure

In an increasingly competitive global landscape, mastering critical technologies has become essential to Canada’s sovereignty, security, and long-term prosperity. This session will showcase the scientific capabilities that can help Canada develop the strategic technologies of tomorrow while reducing its reliance on external suppliers and partners.

Scientific capabilities and technologies: photonics, quantum technologies, high-performance computing, semiconductors, and microelectronics.

Lead

Oussama Moutanabbir, Full Professor, Engineering Physics Department, Polytechnique Montréal and Scientific Director of l'Institut Lassonde sur les innovations de rupture

Experts

Sébastien Francoeur, Full Professor, Engineering Physics Department, Polytechnique Montréal

Marc Châteauneuf, Research Scientific, Defence Research and Development Canada

Aimee K. Gunther, Director, Quantum Internetworking Challenge Program National Research Council Canada, Government of Canada

Deploying Autonomous Mobility Solutions

Transportation and logistics networks are essential to the functioning of modern societies. Their transformation depends on systems capable of making decisions, learning, and interacting autonomously. This session explores how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping mobility and critical infrastructure.

Scientific capabilities and technologies: artificial intelligence, robotics, computer vision, autonomous vehicles, transportation network optimization.

Lead

Nicolas Saunier, Full Professor, Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montreal

Pierre Yves Lajoie, Assistant Professor, Computer Engineering and Software Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montréal

Experts

Francesco Ciari, Associate Professor, Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montreal

Parker Ewen, Research Scientist, Torc Robotics

PROTECT

Ensuring Operational Continuity of Essential Services

Energy, water, telecommunications, and transportation are the backbone of resilient societies. As cyber threats and other risks continue to grow, this session presents scientific approaches that help secure these systems and ensure their uninterrupted operation.

Scientific capabilities and technologies: cybersecurity, cyber-physical systems, smart grids, reliability engineering, digital infrastructure resilience.

Lead

Gabriela Nicolescu, Full Professor, Computer Engineering and Software Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montréal

Experts

Sebastian Fischmeister, Full Professor, Waterloo University

Jason Jaskolka, Associate Professor, Systems and Computer Engineering, Carleton University

Securing Strategic Supply Chains

Recent disruptions have highlighted the vulnerability of global supply chains. Strengthening their resilience has become a major economic and strategic priority. This session explores the scientific tools and optimization approaches that help anticipate disruptions and improve adaptability.

Scientific capabilities and technologies: operations research, optimization, digital twins, decision intelligence, smart logistics.

Lead

Nadia Lahrichi, Full Professor, Mathematics and Industrial Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montréal

Experts

Emma Frejinger, Full Professor, Department of Computer Science and Operations Research, University of Montreal

Marie-Ève Rancourt, Professor, Department of Logistics and Operations Management, HEC Montréal

ADAPT

Advancing the Energy Transition

Reducing emissions while ensuring a reliable energy supply is one of the defining challenges of our time. Achieving this transition requires major technological innovations and a profound transformation of energy systems. This session presents solutions that can help balance decarbonization, energy security, and resilience.

Scientific capabilities and technologies: energy engineering, smart power grids, energy storage, nuclear and clean fuels, industrial decarbonization.

Lead

Normand Mousseau, Scientific Director, Institut de l'énergie Trottier

Experts

Hanane Dagdougui, Full Professor, Mathematics and Industrial Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montréal

Sven Scholtysik, Research Director, NetZero Atlantic

Adapt our infrastructure to extreme weather events

Bridges, roads, buildings, and public infrastructure face a dual challenge: aging assets and increasingly severe climate events. Adapting them has become a critical issue for both safety and long-term sustainability. This session highlights scientific advances that enable the design, monitoring, and modernization of infrastructure capable of meeting tomorrow’s challenges.

Scientific capabilities and technologies: advanced materials, civil engineering, digital twins, climate modelling, resilient infrastructure design.

Lead

Najib Bouaanani, Full Professor, Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal

Rocio Lilen Segura, Assistant Professor Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal

Experts

Dragan Komljenović, Senior Research Scientist, Institut de recherche d'Hydro-Québec (IREQ)

Ahmad Abo El Ezz, Associate Professor of Structural Engineering, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS)

Register Now

Speakers

The Honourable Jean Charest

Partner, Therrien, Couture, Joli-Coeur, Premier of Québec (2003-2012), Deputy Prime Minister of Canada (1993), Member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada

en event

Resilience

Science, Engineering and Innovationin Support of Canada's Resilienceand Technological Sovereignty2026, October 15 and 16

Science, Engineering and Innovation in Support of Canada's Resilience and Technological Sovereignty

Word from the General Directorate

Word from the Scientific Committee

Programme

Day 1 - October 15

Day 2 - October 16

Scientific Workshops

Speakers

The Honourable Jean Charest

Louis Girardin

François Crémet

Robert Asselin

Olivier Blazy

Alain Cohen

Nathalie De Marcellis-Warin

Manon Duclos

Ilrick Duhamel

Marc Gervais

Pierre Graff

Jean-François Juneau

Patrice Lavoie

Laurent Lenoir

Frédérick Lessard

Li Li

Sébastien Mousseau

Mona Nemer

Michel Richer

Jean-Éric Tremblay

Marie-Josée Turgeon

Velko Tzolov

Magali Vullierme

Informations pratiques

Sponsors

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Contact Us

Venue

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Science, Engineering and Innovation
in Support of Canada's Resilience
and Technological Sovereignty

2026, October 15 and 16