Latest Industry News
Oceans Advance November 4, 2025
Innovation Waves 2025
⏳ 4 Weeks to Go!
📅 December 1-3, 2025 | St. John’s, NL
Innovation Waves is fast approaching — December 1–3 in St. John’s, NL.
If you’ve been planning to attend, now is a great time to secure your spot.
This three-day industry showcase will bring together ocean tech leaders, researchers, and innovators to explore cutting-edge cold ocean technologies and real-world applications across marine defence, offshore energy, subsea robotics, Arctic operations, and more.
✅ Don’t wait — register today and join us in St. John’s this December.
📍 Travelling to St. John’s?
Take advantage of the special conference rate of $149 CAD/night at the Delta Hotel & Conference Centre.
Showcase your bold ideas on cutting-edge cold ocean technologies at this special edition Industry & Research Connector during Innovation Waves 2025. Calls for presentations due by November 14, 2025.
Advancing Climate Science: Horizon Europe Matchmaking Event – Nov 6
Join researchers from Canada, Europe, and beyond on November 6 (1–3 PM ET) for a virtual matchmaking event under Horizon Europe Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy & Mobility). Connect with potential partners to collaborate on draft 2026 calls focused on climate risk, monitoring, and Earth system science.
Event Details
- Date: November 6, 2025 (1PM – 3PM Ottawa Time, 7 – 9PM Brussels Time)
- Platform: Virtual – MS Teams
Immigration 101 for Employers – Nov 7
Join Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for an in-person session designed to help employers, business leaders, and partners understand Canada’s immigration system and how it supports workforce development.
Learn about key pathways:
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
- International Mobility Program (IMP)
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Hear from IRCC Outreach Officers Dylan LaVigne and Kathie Ouellette on eligibility, application processes, and employer supports through the Dedicated Service Channel.
Whether you currently hire internationally or are exploring immigration as a workforce strategy, this 75-minute session offers practical insights and actionable steps.
Date: Nov 7th, 2025
Time: 9:00am-10:15am
Location: Co. Innovation Centre
A PROUD MARITIME TRADITION NOV 14-15
The North Atlantic Fish & Workboat Show is returning to St. John’s!
Every two years, the North Atlantic commercial fishing and marine industries come together under one roof. This event is your chance to connect face-to-face with the companies, products, and innovations that keep your business moving forward. Discover the latest gear, meet with top suppliers, and explore solutions designed for the unique challenges of our industry.
The North Atlantic Fish & Workboat Show returns November 14-15, 2025 to the Mary Brown’s Centre in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of the conversations, deals, and connections shaping the future of our industry.
PRE-REGISTER ONLINE TODAY WITH PROMO CODE OCEANSADV TO RESERVE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY 2-DAY PASS:
(Not valid after November 10th, 2025)
Meet the Buyers: Reverse Trade Show – Nov 18
Who: Public sector buyers from various levels of government will have exhibitor booths to connect with potential and existing suppliers, manufacturers, consultants and contractors.
What: This one-stop event will provide the perfect opportunity to connect with public sector buyers. Find out how your products and services could potentially meet the needs of public bodies. Attendees will also learn about the public sector procurement process, including how to access bidding opportunities.
When: Tuesday, November 18, 9:00am-12:00pm
Where: Greenwood Inn & Suites, 48 West Street, Corner Brook, NL (in-person only)
Cost: Free
Buy Canadian: Accessing Federal Procurement Opportunities – Nov 18
Who: Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) session for the business community.
What: PSPC is helping Canadian businesses unlock new opportunities in federal procurement through the Buy Canadian Policy. This session will help you get the practical tools, insights, and strategies you need to take advantage of the new measures and grow opportunities as prime contractors, subcontractors, or supply-chain partners.
When: Tuesday, November 18, 1:30-3:00pm
Where: Greenwood Inn & Suites, 48 West Street, Corner Brook, NL (in-person only)
Cost: Free
Marine Institute launches new platform for industry training access
Continuous learning, whether through acquiring new skills, reskilling, or upskilling, is essential to lifelong career development. In the oceans sector, this need is even more pronounced, where regulatory training, professional certification, frequent recertification, and customized training are often required. To support this growing demand, Memorial University’s Fisheries and Marine Institute has launched trainatmi.ca, a new digital platform offering access to over 350 courses. Whether you’re an individual building your skills or an employer looking to customize a training program and invest in your team, it’s easier than ever to search, register, and stay ahead in evolving fields.
Supplier Opportunity: Help Shape Canada’s Future Procurement Model
Request for Information (RFI) – Professional Services Procurement (EN578-260794) and Industry Day (November 21, 2025)
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is inviting industry feedback through a new Request for Information (RFI) focused on transforming how the Government of Canada procures professional services.
This is an important opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) — including those in the ocean technology, innovation, and research sectors — to provide input on building a simpler, fairer, and more transparent procurement process that supports greater access for Canadian suppliers.
📅 Key Dates
- Virtual Industry Day: November 21, 2025 | 9:00–11:00 AM (EST)
→ Register to attend - RFI closes: December 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM (EST)
💬 Why it matters:
This initiative directly supports PSPC’s goal to improve procurement access for innovative Canadian businesses — including those offering engineering, R&D, environmental, digital, or marine services.
🧭 How to participate:
Access the full RFI through CanadaBuys (SAP Ariba)
Learn more: Procurement Assistance Canada
Funding Opportunity: Artificial Intelligence for Canadian Energy Innovation
Natural Resources Canada has launched a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Canadian Energy Innovation Call for Proposals under its Energy Innovation Program. This funding opportunity supports applied research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) projects that leverage AI to accelerate clean-energy technology innovation and lower the costs of deployment across Canada’s energy sector.
🗓 Deadline to apply: December 4, 2025
➡️ Learn more and explore eligibility details: Artificial Intelligence for Canadian Energy Innovation
Polar Paradigms 2045: Defending Canada’s Arctic Sovereignty
Writers & thinkers—this challenge is for you!
Picture this: You’re a Canadian Armed Forces Logistics Officer stationed on a floating base in the high Arctic. An adversary has made a bold move—claiming Canadian territory. Now, you’re responsible for deploying and sustaining a 1,000-soldier task force in one of the harshest environments on earth. Every choice matters—supply lines are fragile, the cold is brutal, isolation wears on the mind, and the enemy is determined.
Think you’ve got what it takes to plan for the future of Arctic defence?
The latest IDEaS challenge invites you to imagine how future technologies could help defend Canada’s Arctic sovereignty. Whether you’re into defence, storytelling, or strategy—this is your chance to share your vision.
Visit the challenge page for all the details you need to apply!
NATO Introduces New Procurement Framework
NATO has released an updated Procurement Policy and Competitive Procurement Procedure, designed to improve transparency, efficiency, and competitiveness in how NATO conducts acquisitions. Canadian companies interested in doing business with NATO can find guidance, registration details, and upcoming opportunities through the NATO Business Portal.
New SR&ED Quarterly Newsletter – CRA
The Canada Revenue Agency has launched the first edition of the Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) program’s quarterly newsletter. It features policy updates, upcoming webinars, tools, and support services to help innovators maximize their R&D tax incentives. The redesigned support services and tools page makes it easier to navigate the claim process, while new engagement initiatives connect SR&ED specialists with startups, universities, and innovation hubs across Canada.
New CTA: Maritime Safety & Security (Germany & Finland)
Applications are now open for the Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA) focused on dual-use maritime safety and security technologies. This program supports Canadian scale-ups in entering the German and Finnish markets through mentorship, B2B sessions, and in-market visits. Areas of interest include autonomous systems, advanced radar/lidar/sonar, cybersecurity, and AI/ML.
📅 Apply by December 3, 2025 |
Program runs Feb–May 2026 with in-market missions in Germany (May 19–22) and Finland (May 25–27).
Have news you would like shared in the Oceans Advance Newsletter?
If you have upcoming events, exciting achievements, or news you’d like featured in the next Oceans Advance newsletter, let us know.
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