Strengthening Atlantic Canada’s defence capabilities in New Brunswick through Vimy Forge accelerator program
Press Release
February 9, 2026 · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
In a fast-changing and uncertain world, the Government of Canada is investing in industries that strengthen the economy and support national security. In Atlantic Canada, these investments are helping grow the aerospace and defence sector, creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and strengthening a key driver of the region’s economy.
Today, David Myles, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and to the Secretary of State (Nature) and Member of Parliament for Fredericton-Oromocto, announced a federal investment through ACOA’s Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) to support Vimy Forge Corp., as it launches a new innovation accelerator program for Canadian defence-sector small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) ($997,000). The announcement was made on behalf of Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
The goal of this accelerator program is to contribute toward a more integrated, resilient, and future-ready national defence innovation framework. The first cohort of early-stage companies will benefit from hands-on mentorship and targeted training, as well as opportunities to engage with industry leaders, government partners, and potential customers. Through the program Vimy Forge aims to accelerate early-stage Canadian firms, build sovereign capability in critical technology domains, and generate measurable outcomes in adoption, scale, and export readiness.
The program has attracted interest from companies across Canada to participate in its inaugural cohort. The ten companies selected represent a diverse range of defence related technologies and capabilities. They include two companies from New Brunswick - Seafarer AI (Saint John) and Vartis Space (Fredericton); four from Ontario - Engineering Design Lab and Wuxly (Toronto), Tehama (Ottawa), and Xubin Aerospace (Oakville); two from British Columbia - Prodigy Intelligence (Surrey) and Cellula Robotics (Burnaby); and two from Quebec - 123 Cyber and Bloomsco (Montreal).
Through the RDII, the Government of Canada is supporting businesses as they build capacity, strengthen supply chains, and advance marine, aerospace, and defence technologies, including dual use solutions that serve both civilian and defence markets, contributing to good-paying jobs and long-term economic growth.
Quotes
“Atlantic Canada is home to world-class innovation, and today’s announcement shows how our region is helping strengthen Canada’s leadership in defence and national security. By supporting organizations like Vimy Forge and accelerating early-stage Canadian companies, we are building sovereign capability in critical technologies while driving jobs, investment, and long-term economic growth. This is a major step forward for Canada’s defence innovation ecosystem.”
Sean Fraser, P.C., K.C., Member of Parliament for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
“Fredericton has been recognized as a leader in innovation, and Vimy Forge is a prime example of this leadership emerging from our community. This investment will help companies scale faster, attract new capital, and gain access to defence supply chains here in Canada and around the world. I’m proud to see our region driving cutting-edge technology development and creating opportunities for workers and businesses across New Brunswick.”
David Myles, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and to the Secretary of State (Nature) and Member of Parliament for Fredericton-Oromocto
"Vimy Forge is answering a clear call to build more of Canada’s defence and security capability at home. By supporting Canadian innovators at the earliest stages, we are helping turn world-class ideas into deployable solutions that strengthen our sovereignty, reinforce our industrial base, and contribute to long-term economic resilience. Alongside great partners, Vimy Forge is creating an open and accessible framework to build the foundations of a stronger, more self-reliant Canada.”
Duncan McSporran, Founding Partner, Vimy Forge Corp.
Quick facts
The Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) is a $357.7 million, three-year, initiative delivered by Canada’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs).
Today’s announcement is part of ACOA’s $38.2 million allocation, over three years, under the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII), announced by the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on December 5.
With more than 200 firms in the defence industry, Atlantic Canada delivers advanced shipbuilding, aircraft and engine maintenance, sonar and acoustic systems, training and simulation, ground vehicle technologies and cyber resilience.
Atlantic Canada is home to nearly 10,000 direct aerospace and defence jobs, representing 20% of national defence industry employment.
It is rare to see the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) funding an accelerator that directly supports companies in Surrey and Toronto. I was digging into the structure of this Regional Defence Investment Initiative recently. The government seems to be using these regional development agencies to handle defence innovation rather than the Department of National Defence directly. This looks like a workaround to speed up funding for small players since the main military procurement system is famously slow. It effectively turns a regional economic pot into a national defence tool by spreading that $38 million allocation outside the Atlantic borders.