Security, Sovereignty, and Prosperity: Industry Perspectives on Canada’s New Defence Industrial Strategy

Jayson Myers is the Chief Executive Officer of Next Generation Manufacturing Canada, the industry-led organization that is spearheading Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for Advanced Manufacturing. NGen raises funds from public and private sources to invest in building world-leading advanced manufacturing solutions and ecosystem capabilities in Canada.

Jay is an award-winning business economist who specializes in industrial and technological change. Between 2007 and 2016, he served as President & CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Canada’s largest industry and trade association. In 2017 he was the Chief Policy Advisor to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

Jay has been widely recognized as one of the most influential economic policy advocates in Canada. He is an advisor to both private and public sector leaders, and has counselled Canadian prime ministers and premiers, as well as senior corporate executives and policymakers around the world.

A former research fellow at Nuffield College Oxford, Jay has held lectureships at both Oxford and the University of Warwick. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the World Manufacturing Forum and a leading advocate on the world stage on behalf of advanced manufacturing in Canada.

Ms. Koutsavlis is dedicated to advancing the mining industry’s comprehension of critical economic matters, encompassing taxation, international trade, investment, infrastructure, and innovation. Additionally, she guides the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) and its members in supporting an orderly transition towards a more sustainable, low-carbon future. Her leadership positions MAC as a constructive partner in the fight against climate change.

Previously, Ms. Koutsavlis held the role of Director General, Policy and Economic Branch for the Lands and Minerals Sector at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) within the Government of Canada. In this capacity, she led the integration of strategic policy, scientific insights, regulatory expertise, economics, and market analysis. Her work informed policy development and decisions related to domestic and international priorities concerning lands, minerals, and metals.

Ms. Koutsavlis played a key role in developing the Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan, which served as the foundation for Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy and broader policy direction.

Daniel Perry is the Director of Federal Affairs at the Council of Canadian Innovators, where he leads national advocacy and government engagement.

Previously, he worked in consulting, advising clients on public policy across sectors including fintech, agriculture, and higher education. He has also held roles with the Senate of Canada, Queen’s Park, and the Canadian Criminal Justice Association. An experienced campaigner, Daniel has contributed to leadership races and elections at all levels of government. He has been recognized as one of Ottawa’s Top Consultants by Faces Magazine and was recently named a Top Lobbyist by The Hill Times.

Daniel is a frequent media contributor and columnist for publications in Hamilton and Niagara. He holds a Master of Political Management from Carleton University, a Joint Honours Bachelor in Communication and Political Science from the University of Ottawa, and a Diploma in Business from Loyalist College.