Minister McGuinty concludes Alberta visit focused on innovation and strengthening Canada’s defence capabilities

News release

August 7, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Today, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, concluded a two-day trip to Alberta, where he met with Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, researchers, industry leaders and community partners to highlight investments in innovation, defence research, military infrastructure and Canadian industry that are strengthening Canada’s defence capabilities and supporting military readiness.

On August 6, Minister McGuinty met with Calgary business leaders at the University of Calgary to highlight Alberta’s important contribution to Canada’s defence ecosystem. As part of a keynote address, he announced a $20.3 million investment in launching the Quantum Defence Innovation Secure Hub (DISH) under the Bureau of Research, Engineering and Advanced Leadership in Innovation and Science (BOREALIS). Quantum technologies support capability priorities that are key to the Defence Industrial Strategy and have the potential to transform Canadian defence. The Quantum DISH will provide a secure setting for government, industry, and academia to collaborate on advancing emerging quantum technologies toward operational capability.

Hosted by Commander 3rd Canadian Division, Major-General Wade Rutland, Minister McGuinty continued his Alberta tour at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Suffield where he met with reservists undertaking summer training and toured the Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) Suffield Research Centre. At the Suffield Research Centre, he met with defence scientists and engineers to discuss ongoing research and future CAF capability requirements in areas including autonomous systems, counter-uncrewed aerial systems, advanced energetics, and chemical, biological, and radiological defence.

At the Suffield Research Centre, Minister McGuinty also participated in industry engagement sessions where QinetiQ, Amtech Aeronautical, UVAD Technologies, and Landing Zones Canada provided an overview of innovative technologies and their potential defence applications. The Medicine Hat based company, Landing Zones Canada, is receiving advisory services and up to $415,000 in funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). The company is receiving this funding to advance the defence readiness of their projects and further develop their Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) flight control software. These investments will support their overall focus on strengthening capabilities for defence applications and operational deployment.

The Minister's engagement with Canadian defence companies highlights the important role small and medium-sized enterprises play in delivering innovative solutions to defence and security challenges.

On August 7, Minister McGuinty attended the Bold Eagle graduation parade, an Indigenous summer program run by the Canadian Army at CFB Wainwright. This was followed by a tour of CFB Wainwright, including a visit to the Military Family Resource Centre. Many of the Base’s facilities are being upgraded through the recent award of an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) to MCW Custom Energy Solutions Ltd., valued at $12.7 million. Completion of the project is forecasted for December 2030.

The Minister’s visit highlighted Alberta’s important contribution to Canada’s defence through military training, defence research, industrial innovation, and infrastructure modernization that support the readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Quotes

“Canada's security depends on our ability to stay ahead of tomorrow's threats. Across Alberta, Canadian Armed Forces members, researchers, innovators, and industry are helping build that advantage. By investing in Canadian talent, cutting-edge technology, and modern military infrastructure, we're strengthening the capabilities our Armed Forces need to defend Canada, support our Allies, and ensure Canada remains strong, secure, and prepared for the future."

The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence

Quick facts

Canada is committed to strengthening its defence industrial base to provide the CAF with timely access to the equipment and capabilities it needs.
DISHs provide secure environments where trusted partners can collaborate, conduct research, test technologies, and address defence and security challenges.
Quantum technologies are identified as one of Canada's sovereign capability priorities under the Defence Industrial Strategy.
Industry engagement at the Suffield Research Centre connects innovative Canadian firms with unique testing environments, scientific expertise, and exposure to end-user requirements, supporting the development of capabilities relevant to the CAF and Canada's broader defence ecosystem.
Bold Eagle is the largest and oldest of the five Indigenous summer programs run by the Canadian Army. Candidates built military skills while strengthening the relationship between the CAF and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities across Canada.
Approximately 1,500 candidates have graduated from Bold Eagle since it began as a 15-candidate pilot at Camp Dundurn, Saskatchewan, in 1989.
The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) is recognized as Canada’s leading innovation assistance program for small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), offering advice, connections and funding to help them increase their innovation capacity and take their ideas to market. NRC IRAP’s Defence Industry Assist (DI Assist) initiative provides funding and advice to high-potential, innovative Canadian SMEs to advance made-in-Canada defence and dual-use technologies.
The Suffield Research Centre (SRC) invests in unique and sensitive science and technology capabilities, including chemical-biological-radiological (CBR) defence in the areas of personnel defence and medical countermeasures, blast protection and injury, advanced energetics and weapons effects, autonomous systems, and training in CBR defence.
Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs) are performance-based agreements in which an energy services company evaluates DND facilities for energy efficiency improvements. The energy services company then obtains private financing to reduce the capital investment required by DND, which then uses a portion of the savings to repay the private investment loan. This funding model reduces upfront costs to DND and reduces risk because the company must provide proof of savings to be paid for its services, including loan repayments. Overall, these initiatives represent a major investment in infrastructure modernization and energy efficiency improvements.
This is the Minister of National Defence's final visit to 3rd Canadian Division under its current name. On September 10, 2026, 3rd Canadian Division will become Manoeuvre Division, the Canadian Army's premier warfighting division.

Associated links

Contacts

Alice Hansen
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Email: Alice.Hansen2@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

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2026-08-07