• Premier Wakeham tours Bull Arm Site as OilCo Issues Request for Proposals for Floating Dry Dock Engineering Study

  Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
  Date: 2026-10-23 13:18:27.0
  Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Infrastructure, Energy, Industry, Defence, Labour]

  The Oil and Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador (OilCo), acting on behalf of Bull Arm Fabrication Inc. (BAF), has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP Reference No. 926000006 via merx.com) seeking qualified proponents to conduct a Pre-Front End Engineering and Design (Pre-FEED) study for a floating dry dock at the 25-square-kilometre Bull Arm Fabrication Site in Trinity Bay. The initiative follows a June 2026 request for expressions of interest that drew 19 submissions from four countries, with over half originating from entities operating within Newfoundland and Labrador. The proposed floating dry dock aims to expand the site's industrial capacity for ship repair, marine construction, offshore support, decommissioning, and defence-related projects. Interested companies must submit their proposals by February 26, 2027.

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• Halifax hosting defence firms at record-breaking conference amid protests

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-07 20:12:16.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, Defence, Industry, Economy, Infrastructure]

  Halifax is hosting DEFSEC Atlantic 2026 at the Halifax Convention Centre, drawing over 3,000 attendees as Nova Scotia's defence and aerospace sector contributes $2.7 billion to the provincial GDP and supports 17,000 jobs. The record-breaking conference coincides with a generational wave of federal defense spending, highlighted by Prime Minister Mark Carney's announcement of $3 billion in new infrastructure and defence funding for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, including over $2 billion dedicated to modernizing infrastructure and building facilities for new warships and aircraft. Meanwhile, the three-day event faced protests outside from groups such as the Halifax Committee Against Imperialist War And Genocide, who criticized the gathering as an arms expo profiting from global conflict.

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• Ottawa signs preliminary deal with Swedish firm Saab for 6 GlobalEye aircraft

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-09-25 13:00:00.0
  Tags: [National, Defence, Industry, Trade, Infrastructure]

  The federal government, represented by Secretary of State responsible for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr, signed a preliminary agreement with Swedish firm Saab and Canadian partner Bombardier to acquire and build six GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEWC) aircraft in Canada. The preliminary contract serves as the basis for final negotiations regarding the production schedule, Canadian configuration, and development program, though specific timelines and final procurement costs have not yet been disclosed. The GlobalEye platform was selected based on geopolitical and economic criteria to detect long-range threats like aircraft, missiles, and drones, despite reports from sources indicating the aircraft currently meets only a handful of military requirements and will require significant modifications. The Conservative Party has criticized the sole-source acquisition process and called on the Auditor General and the Parliamentary Budget Officer to investigate the project's operational readiness and adherence to defence needs.

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• New explosives factory could be built on 1,500 acres in northern New Brunswick

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-08-26 20:19:36.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, Municipal, Industry, Defence, Resources, Infrastructure]

  The Government of New Brunswick has offered a 1,500-acre parcel of land near Belledune and Huron Bay to defense company Nalagx for the potential construction of an energetics and explosives factory producing TNT and propellants. Natural Resources Minister John Herron stated the land will be held for two years on the condition that Nalagx secures an agreement with a credible operating partner by December 31, with full production targeted for 2030. Premier Susan Holt emphasized that no final contract or commitment has been finalized and that the project is in its earliest exploratory stages, involving community and First Nations consultations. The site was selected for its proximity to regional roads, rail infrastructure, and the Port of Belledune to support NATO and allied defense supply chains.

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