Regional Defence Investment Initiative funding will advance made-in-Canada defence solutions to strengthen national security and defence industry capacity
Today's complex and unpredictable global security environment demands that Canada makes sustained and strategic investment to strengthen the Canadian Armed Forces and ensure that the nation can protect its sovereignty. With the first ever Defence Industrial Strategy - a plan to align long-term federal defence investments with defence industry capability - the Government of Canada is helping Alberta businesses develop Canadian-made defence technologies, strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity, and build more resilient supply chains, all while creating quality jobs for Canadians.
Today, Corey Hogan, Member of Parliament for Calgary Confederation and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on behalf of Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) announced a combined federal investment of more than $9.3 million through the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII). This funding will generate economic activity for Alberta businesses while strengthening Canada's national defence and security supply chain.
Funding will help six Alberta-based small and medium-sized businesses bring cutting-edge defence technologies to market, accelerate dual-use innovations, and reinforce Canada's position as a leader in producing defence solutions. A full list of projects receiving PrairiesCan investment can be found in the associated backgrounder.
Over the past year, the Government of Canada has moved at unprecedented speed and scale to deliver on its plan to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces and our defence industrial sector. It's how Canada has delivered on a core objective of its plan to achieving the NATO 2% defence spending target this year, half a decade ahead of schedule. Beyond enhancing military readiness, Canada's historic defence investment - including RDII investments announced today - is driving innovation, growing the defence industrial base, and creating long-term prosperity for Canadians.
