October 7, 2026 – Edmonton, Alberta – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Today, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, visited Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton to highlight defence investments across Alberta. These ongoing investments are supporting the modernization of military infrastructure, expanding industrial capacity, advancing defence innovation and equipping the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) with the facilities, capabilities and workforce it needs to defend Canada at home and contribute to operations around the world.
Worth approximately $8 billion, these ongoing investments include:
nearly $4 billion to support future fighter capabilities at CFB Cold Lake;
$750 million for a new Chemical and Biological Laboratory and Blast Assessment Centre at CFB Suffield;
$550 million to establish the western operating base for the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) CC-330 Husky fleet; and
over $580 million over the next three years for maintenance and repair work across CAF bases situated in Alberta.
Funds will also support the renewal and expansion of residential accommodations, operational facilities, logistics and warehousing capacity, training infrastructure, utilities, transportation networks, and support services across the province. The defence investments are estimated to support approximately 29,000 to 38,000 jobs in Alberta over the next five to 10 years while strengthening local supply chains and supporting businesses, skilled trades and communities.
The Minister also highlighted that the Government of Canada is re-opening the Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace (DDIM) Request for Supply Arrangement (RFSA), providing more Canadian companies with the opportunity to pre-qualify to supply the Department of National Defence autonomous systems capabilities and related services. The refreshed RFSA will help Canadian companies, including those in Alberta, continue to play a leading role in developing the capabilities needed to support Canada's future defence and security requirements.
On behalf of the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), Minister McGuinty announced over $8 million for seven projects to be administered through PrairiesCan under the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII), the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, and the Regional Innovation Ecosystems program. This funding will contribute to economic resilience in the face of continued global uncertainty, helping many Alberta organizations advance their defence-related innovations. By helping firms expand capacity, commercialize technology, and strengthen their participation in domestic and international defence supply chains, these initiatives will create new opportunities for growth, investment, and high-quality jobs across the province.
During the visit, the Minister and Premier Smith discussed how the Government of Canada’s investments to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in the CAF will benefit Alberta’s defence industry and local economies.
Quotes
“Alberta’s military bases and key infrastructure are essential to Canada's defence, serving as training and logistics hubs that support and prepare the Canadian Armed Forces for operations at home and around the world, while also generating thousands of well-paying jobs and supporting the region’s economic growth. As we continue making investments to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in our military, Alberta’s role will continue to grow."
The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
“Alberta’s ingenuity and expertise drives a stronger and more secure Canada. As we rebuild, rearm and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces, investments by PrairiesCan in innovative small- and medium-sized businesses here in Alberta are helping to bring new defence technologies to market, expand production, and create good jobs. Together, we are turning Alberta’s strengths into the capabilities Canada needs to defend our sovereignty and support our allies."
The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)
Quick facts
Defence investments contributed approximately $1.3 billion to Alberta’s economy in 2024-25.
Approximately 10,300 members of the CAF live and work in Alberta.
Alberta is home to three Canadian Army bases (CFB Edmonton, CFB Suffield and CFB Wainright) and an RCAF Wing (CFB Cold Lake).
The establishment of 1st Canadian Division Headquarters in Edmonton reinforces Alberta's role as a centre of gravity for the generation of high-readiness land forces and Canada's ability to conduct division-level operations.
CFB Suffield provides world-class training and testing capabilities that are essential to military readiness and hosts British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS), a longstanding pillar of Canada-United Kingdom defence cooperation.
CFB Wainwright is one of the Canadian Army’s largest training centres and is home to the Army Training Centre-West and the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre (CMTC). CMTC delivers realistic, challenging training that prepares Canadian Armed Forces personnel for today’s operational environment and supports operational readiness.
Alberta is an important contributor to Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, providing, industrial, energy, training and technological capabilities that support CAF operations in the North.
The RDII is a $379.2 million, three-year national initiative that aligns with the Defence Industrial Strategy to advance Canada’s ability to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in its military while strengthening supply chains, readiness and international partnerships.
PrairiesCan is one of seven regional development agencies across Canada and administers the RDII in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Alberta is emerging as an important contributor to Canada's growing defence innovation sector. To date, 30 Alberta-based companies have qualified as trusted suppliers under the DDIM.
Earlier in 2026, a University of Calgary-led consortium received $20.3 million over two years to establish and operate the Quantum Defence Innovation Secure Hub in Calgary.
Noah Note: There isn't anything new here, despite presentstion. All of these were well known investments from various sources sorta lumped together. One interesting thing though, Minister McGuinty during the presser refused to name Edmonton as the MOB-W.
A few pointed this out to me, and I wanna say, as I know it that is still the plan. While alternatives are available of negotiations with the airport authority fall through, that has not happened and the plans remain the same. I thought it was very, very strange how it was worded at the presser.