FedNor funding will support two prominent companies to scale up and pursue opportunities in the defence supply chain
The global landscape is shifting rapidly. The Government of Canada is focused on what we can control: protecting our sovereignty, building our prosperity, and strengthening our economic resilience.
Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor, announced FedNor is investing $2,700,909 to help bring two important projects to life. Led by International Test Pilots School (ITPS) and the SKADI Cyber Defense Corporation, the funded initiatives will help strengthen Northern Ontario's economy, bolster our defence sector and protect Canada's sovereignty.
To support its advanced jet training operations ITPS Canada is receiving FedNor funding of $1.5 million to relocate its International Tactical Training Centre (ITTC) to North Bay's Jack Garland Airport. Specifically, the repayable investment will allow ITPS Canada to renovate and equip a 21,000 square foot hangar exclusively dedicated to delivering its Fighter Lead-In Training-an advanced tactical training solution for NATO and allied military pilots preparing to operate next-generation fighter jets. Funded through the Government of Canada's Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII), this strategic initiative will create approximately 60 full-time jobs, strengthen the economy and further position North Bay as a defence and aerospace training hub.
Furthermore, to support Canada's domestically built autonomous defense capabilities, the SKADI Cyber Defense Corporation will receive $1,200,909 to help advance the development and commercialization of its Frostbow™ AI Cyber Defense system. Designed to protect IT networks and infrastructure, Frostbow™ makes real-time threat assessments, with minimal human oversight or intervention. Provided through the RDII, this repayable investment will support the evolution of this cutting-edge technology by allowing the company to upgrade the system so it's better equipped to proactively solve problems, plan and execute tasks and defend networks against cyber attacks.
A strong defence industry is key to Canada's national sovereignty and security as well as its economic resilience and long-term prosperity. Through generational investments, the Government of Canada is reinvesting, rebuilding and rearming the Canadian Armed Forces; helping Canadian defence companies grow and compete; and strengthening industrial capacity needed to deliver critical defence and manufacturing capabilities at home.
