Overview
- The new Regional Defence Investment Initiative will channel $357.7 million through Canada’s seven regional development agencies to grow the defence ecosystem nationwide.
- FedDev Ontario received $94.7 million from the federal allocation and is adding $106 million from existing resources, creating nearly $200 million for southern Ontario firms.
- PrairiesCan opened applications with $48.2 million over three years, and ACOA is delivering $38.2 million over three years for Atlantic Canada’s defence companies.
- Ottawa says the initiative targets research and innovation, stronger domestic supply chains, critical resource stockpiles, and better financing access for small and medium-sized businesses, including dual‑use and pivoting firms.
- Officials describe the program as an initial step within the previously budgeted $6.6 billion Defence Industrial Strategy, with the full plan expected before Christmas and counted toward this fiscal year’s defence spending goals.