Today, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, alongside the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced the establishment of Canada's first Maritime Defence Innovation Secure Hub (DISH) at COVE in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
The Government of Canada recognizes the need for independent and resilient defence capabilities to protect its sovereignty. As part of Canada's NATO commitments, it is actively engaging the Canadian innovation ecosystem and enhancing collaboration with like-minded partners. As part of this effort, the Government of Canada will invest $29.4M, to establish the Maritime DISH, a new hub focused on resilience and collaboration.
This pilot initiative marks the beginning of a national network of secure, purpose-built spaces, where Canadian researchers and scientists and their trusted partners can co-develop, test, and validate emerging technologies requiring classified handling.
These hubs will focus on critical areas of defence research and development essential to a resilient Canadian innovation industry. These areas include quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, autonomous systems, Arctic research, space, and-in Atlantic Canada-the Maritime DISH will focus on ocean technology.
The Maritime DISH will unite various defence and security partners, including industry, academia, naval and joint operators, and federal departments and agencies, to collaboratively develop, test, and transition new maritime technologies. Key areas of focus will include:
- undersea domain awareness;
- uncrewed and autonomous systems;
- advanced sensing and surveillance technologies; and
- AI-enabled maritime analytics.
Canada is navigating a rapidly changing global environment where shifting power dynamics and advances in technology are affecting the foundations of Canadian security and prosperity. Now, more than ever, the Government of Canada is committed to strengthening Canada's sovereignty, security, and prosperity, and to driving economic growth, including through the enhancement of dual-use technologies and Canada's military capabilities through research and development.
