This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 9/30/2019

Overview

Canada’s renewal of its National Cyber Security Strategy reflects the continuous and evolving threat of cyber insecurity in Canada. Released in 2018, the new strategic framework is supported by a budget of C$507.7 million over five years, and C$108.8 million per year thereafter. The framework comes as a response to the increase of cyber-attacks on government agencies and private corporations in Canada. Areas of focus include border security, counter-terrorism, cyber resilience, and critical infrastructure protection and resilience. The Government of Canada has also established a Canadian Centre for Cyber Security and a National Cybercrime Coordination Unit and has expanded powers for the Chief Information Officer of the Government of Canada.

The Canadian market size for security products and services to protect commercial buildings and facilities is predicted to grow at 1 percent to 2 percent annually for the next 20 years, with C$500 billion spent under security and defense initiatives.

In 2017, Canada’s global exports of "Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing" were approximately C$588.8 million (Canadian Industry Statistics, 2019). Categories included are the manufacture of traffic signals; smoke detectors; remote control units; intercom systems and equipment; fire detection and alarm systems; and alarm systems and equipment.

The defense and security industry employ more than 63,000 Canadians and generates CAD$10.10 billion in annual revenues.

Leading Sub-Sectors

Canada’s top imports consist of IT Security, National Security, Video Surveillance Systems (CCTV/video surveillance, video management and video analytics), Intrusion Detection/Burglar Alarm Systems (door alarm monitoring, sound and glass break sensors), Entrance Solutions (mechanical locks, automated gates, vehicles barriers, turnstiles, roll-up doors), Physical Security (fencing, grilles, bullet resistant glazing, mechanical window coverings, safes, locks), Scanning Equipment (narcotics/explosive/metal detectors, scanning equipment), and Fire and Rescue (fire/smoke detection, fire suppression, fireproofing, leak detection, and protective gear).

Electronic physical access control systems: driven by biometric, smart card, and other non-contact technology using software that can secure both physical access to facilities and access to data stored on computers. Wearable technology with advanced sensors and integrated voice communication captures the interest of first responders, because it provides highly accurate biometric data.

The Security Alarm Services industry: C$2 billion in revenue since 2011 and is projected to grow annually at 2.6 percent (IBS World, 2018): https://www.ibisworld.ca/industry/security-alarm-services.html.

The Canadian Ambulance Services industry: includes air transportation of patients and provision of emergency medical care. More information at Canadian Industry Statistics 2018: www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/app/cis/summary-sommaire/33429

Opportunities

In 2018, the Government of Canada promised to make up to US$178 million available over five years, and $41.2 million per year ongoing, to fund new projects that support Canada’s National Cyber Security Strategy. New investments will allow Canadians to benefit from digital connections in a way that protects them and Canada’s digital infrastructure from cybercrime.

Demand for security services to protect Canadian health records is on the increase. "Health care providers and insurers are seeing 340 per cent more security incidents and attacks than most industries" (Soloman, 2015).

The Public Safety Canada Departmental Plan 2018–19 lists several budget estimates for 2019-2020 such as CDN$580,162,361 in total, CDN$28,951,885 for National Security threats/infrastructure resilience, C$299,592,688 for safe communities (crime), and C$200,736,497 for emergency management.
Surveillance, monitoring, disruption, and interdiction techniques, technologies, and processes to identify and stop terrorists and criminals are in demand.

Systems that enhance the resiliency, reliability, and protection of Canada’s physical and IT facilities, networks, services, and assets are also in demand, as well as systems to enhance the performance and integration of national and international public safety, security, and emergency management processes and supporting systems.

Major Upcoming Events/Trade Shows:

2019 Aerospace, Defense & Security Expo
http://adse.ca
Abbotsford, British Columbia
August 8-9, 2019

Security Canada Atlantic
http://securitycanadaexpo.com/attend-security-canada-atlantic/
Moncton, New Brunswick
September 11, 2019

Security Canada Ottawa
http://securitycanadaexpo.com/attend-security-canada-atlantic/
Ottawa, Ontario
May 8, 2019

Security Canada Alberta
http://securitycanadaexpo.com/attend-security-canada-atlantic/
Edmonton, Alberta
May 29, 2019

Security Canada West
http://securitycanadaexpo.com/attend-security-canada-atlantic/
Richmond, British Columbia
June 19, 2019

Security Canada East
http://securitycanadaexpo.com/attend-security-canada-atlantic/
Laval, Québec
April 24, 2019

Security Canada Central
http://securitycanadaexpo.com/attend-security-canada-central/
Toronto, Ontario
October 23-24, 2019

DEFSEC Atlantic
www.defsecatlantic.ca
Halifax, Nova Scotia
October 1-3, 2019

Maritime & Arctic Security & Safety Conference
http://www.maritimearcticsecurity.ca
St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador
November 5-7, 2019

CANSEC 2019
www.defenceandsecurity.ca/CANSEC
May 29-30, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario

Web Resources

Canadian Association of Defense and Security Industry: www.defenceandsecurity.ca/
Canadian Security Association: www.canasa.org/CANASA
Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance: cata.ca/
Defence Research and Development Canada:
www.drdc-rddc.gc.ca/en/dynamic-article.page?doc=government-of-canada-invests-in-canada-s-safety-and-security/hr0e3lxs
Industry Canada: www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/tdo-dcd.nsf/eng/Home
IT World Canada: www.itworldcanada.com/slideshow/top-9-security-threats-to-prepare-for-in-2015

For additional information on this sector, please contact Senior Commercial Specialist Lucy Cicero Latka at Lucy.Latka@trade.gov, tel: (613) 688-5219.

 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.