# BMO Expands Canadian Defence Financing

Bank of Montreal (BMO) announced it will mobilize up to CAD $70 billion over ten years for sectors tied to Canada’s economic security and resilience, including defence, through financing and capital-markets activities. BMO appointed Michael Bonner to coordinate its Canadian defence-sector strategy and was scheduled to co-host a Defence Finance Forum in Toronto on October 22, 2026. This is a private-sector financing initiative—not a government contract or solicitation—and BMO has not specified how much will go to defence, eligibility criteria, or reporting cadence.

- **Why this matters:** Defence suppliers may have another potential source of financing and capital-markets support, but the commitment does not represent awarded government work or guaranteed funding for any company.
- Companies can factor BMO’s announced financing activity into capital planning and approach the bank to clarify eligibility, available financing options, and how defence-sector businesses may access the commitment.
- The Toronto forum was scheduled for October 22, 2026; the signals do not confirm whether it occurred or describe follow-up opportunities.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 22, 2026

### Government Entities
- Government of Canada

### Vendors
- BMO Financial Group (Financing institution; announced a capital-mobilization commitment for Canadian defence-linked sectors)

### Key Quotes
> We’re taking a strength of ours (and) leaning into it even more heavily than we were before.
> — Darryl White, CEO of BMO Financial Group

> the experience, expertise and relationships to help clients of all sizes capitalize on that growth.
> — Michael Bonner, Enterprise Chair, Canadian Defence Sector at Bank of Montreal

### Sources
- [
            Why Is BMO (TSX:BMO) Committing to Canada's Defence Sector?](https://kalkinemedia.com/ca/stocks/financial/why-is-bmo-tsxbmo-committing-to-canadas-defence-sector) - Kalkine Media
- [BMO ‘leaning into’ defence more say more about what that means | 650 CKOM](https://www.ckom.com/2026/10/21/bmo-leaning-into-defence-more-say-more-about-what-that-means) - 650 CKOM