Regional Defence Investment Initiative supports businesses to grow, innovate and scale up for global defence opportunities
The world is changing rapidly. The international rules-based order is fading, and technological change is expanding the fields of conflict. The Government of Canada is responding by rebuilding and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces and strengthening the defence industrial base. Through Canada's first Defence Industrial Strategy, the government is aligning long-term defence investments with industrial capability to support Canadian businesses, strengthen supply chains, and reinforce Canada's role as a trusted ally. These generational investments will modernize Canada's defence ecosystem, create good, well-paying jobs, and ensure the Canadian Armed Forces have the equipment they need to keep Canada safe, and sovereign.
In Atlantic Canada, this includes targeted investments that are strengthening Nova Scotia's aerospace and defence sector by supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and building long-term industrial capacity.
Today, Jessica Fancy, Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margarets, announced a federal investment of more than $600,000 under the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) for an aerospace and defence company in Lunenburg. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
This support will help Stelia North America purchase and install new advanced manufacturing and inspection equipment, such as CNC machines, a robotic sanding cell, a process oven, measuring equipment, and a 3D printer. The upgrades will allow the company to produce and test parts faster, create 15 full-time jobs, and better meet demand from global aerospace and defence customers.
As a pillar of Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy, the RDII is building a strong, resilient defence industrial base by helping small and medium-sized businesses scale up, adopt advanced technologies, and integrate into domestic and international defence and security supply chains. These investments are strengthening Atlantic Canada's industrial capacity, growing Nova Scotia's role in Canada's defence industry, and ensuring Canada has the capabilities it needs to respond to evolving global security challenges while supporting long-term economic growth.
