New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt attended a trade show recently and promoted the province as a key hub for the defence industry.
Holt was in Ottawa for CANSEC to advance opportunities for the province.
“New Brunswick has established itself as a leader in Canada’s defence sector and is uniquely positioned to seize the generational opportunities arising from Canada’s focus on defence investments,” Holt said in a statement.
“From cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing to land systems expertise and access to two deepwater ports in Saint John and Belledune, to the world-class training happening at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, where Canada’s military is made, we’re ready to grow our economy, create quality jobs, and bolster Canada’s security.”
Defence was highlighted in the provincial government’s recently released economic development strategy as a focus for growing the economy.
Holt said New Brunswick has emerged as a competitor for large-scale industrial defence projects in the last decade, as local companies demonstrate an ability support national defence objectives and secure economic benefits for the region.
The government has made efforts to create further integration into federal defence procurement programs.
That includes a focus on streamlining certifications, enhancing supplier development programs and targeting innovation funding.
A release from the province said Holt met with leading land, sea and air defence companies while in Ottawa.
“This is a crucial time for our province,” she said. “As global economic conditions shift and uncertainty remains, our focus is on keeping our economy strong, flexible and investment-ready by seizing and supporting national opportunities that can create good-paying jobs for New Brunswickers.”
