As a part of Canada’s defence strategy plan, the federal government announced that over $900 million will go into bolstering the country’s defence innovation, including acquiring a new bombardier defence aircraft and creating a new drone innovation hub. 

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly made the announcement today at the National Research Centre, alongside National Defence Minister David McGuinty and Secretary of State Stephen Fuhr. 

The funding comes as a part of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, a long-term plan that will carry a “build, partner, buy” model to build military gear domestically, that was unveiled in February. It pledged $6.6 billion over five years to prioritize homegrown production and seeks to partner with other nations on procurement.  

“The NRC investments announced today will advance cutting-edge dual-use technologies and deliver world-class capabilities for the Canadian Armed Forces,” Joly said. 

“Our government is meeting the moment so Canadians benefit from a stronger, more resilient defence economy.”

The federal government will channel the funding through the National Research Council, which will administer programs supporting drone, aerospace, quantum and biomedical technologies. 

Under the program, more than $500 million will be directed toward advancing Canada’s domestic capacity in drone and aerospace technologies. The investment includes a new Canadian-built Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft to support technology research, as well as NRC’s new Drone Innovation Hub in Ottawa, and in the Mirabel area. The new hub aims to enhance drone and counter-drone development.

The strategy also includes $241 million through the NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program to support small and medium-sized businesses developing defence and dual-use technologies.

Over $161 million will fund quantum science and technology in the next five years.

“Canada is very much competitive in the world stage with respect to its research and academia and its startups in Quantum science and technology,” Julie Lefebvre, Vice-President of the Emerging Technologies at the NRC said in an interview with iPolitics. 

Lebefvre said the funding complements Ottawa’s Canadian Quantum Champions program by supporting domestic quantum companies and helping build the broader research and industry ecosystem needed to keep firms anchored in Canada.

Additionally, $28 million will go into improving the biological threats response, such as pathogens and pandemics that could affect national health security.

Daniel Perry, Director of Federal Affairs of Council of Canadian Innovators, said investments in drone and aerospace technologies carries potential to strengthen the country’s defence capabilities, but “details matter.”

“Public funding should help scale Canadian-headquartered firms that develop, manage, and commercialize their technology in Canada, ensuring that the intellectual property, talent, and economic benefits remain anchored here at home,” Perry said.