Exciting opportunities in the defence sector

As a pillar of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) Regional Defence Investment Initiative helps local companies grow, innovate, and produce the technologies Canada needs, strengthening both the aerospace and defence sector and Atlantic Canada’s industrial capacity.

Photo courtesy of the St. John's Port Authority. 

In Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), ACOA has announced a $16 million investment to help grow the province’s role in Canada’s defence industry. This investment will help develop and manufacture critical equipment and technologies here, and support 115 highly skilled jobs. The St. John's metro area companies receiving loans are PAL Aerospace Ltd. ($7.5 million), Virtual Marine Technology Inc. ($2.5 million), Solace Power Inc. ($4 million), CoLab AI Inc. ($1 million), and Rutter Inc. ($1 million).  

Another federal announcement of up to $8 billion in long‑term defence investments at 5 Wing Goose Bay (one of Canada’s NORAD northern basing infrastructure sites) will modernize that base and tap into the province’s clean energy grid to do it more efficiently. This investment indicates that Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) is essential to defending Canada's sovereignty.

Recent announcements like these reinforce the province’s strategic role in the defence sector, with local NL companies making meaningful contributions to national and global priorities.  



If your business is exploring opportunities in the defence sector, understanding Industrial Trade Benefits (ITBs) is critical. Oceans Advance and the Co. Innovation Centre will be offering a practical session for small businesses to understand their ITB profile, strengthen their value proposition, and position their business to build meaningful industry relationships on April 21, 2026. Register at oceansadvance.net.

City supports faster homebuilding with pre-approved housing designs

The City of St. John’s is highlighting a new Housing Design Catalogue from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—an action under the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund Plan to support faster homebuilding. The catalogue features seven free, pre-designed housing options—from backyard suites to fourplexes, stacked townhouses and a six-plex—designed to align with local building codes and regulations. These ready-to-use plans can help reduce costs, speed up development, and support more accessible, energy-efficient housing options. Learn more: stjohns.ca

Municipal Open House

Visit some of the City of St. John's municipal buildings and get the inside scoop on how your city operates. Join us on Sunday, May 3, 2026, for our annual Municipal Open House. Visit www.stjohns.ca for a list of participating sites. 

Atlantic Canada's Top Employer's  

Delighted to see St. John’s based businesses among Atlantic Canada's Top Employer's. These employers are recognized for creating workplaces where people can grow, thrive, and build their future in in the St. John’s region.

Congratulations to: Bluedrop ISM Ltd., The Cahill Group, CoLab Software Inc., Nasdaq Verafin, NL Credit Union Ltd., Newfoundland Power Inc., North Atlantic, Noseworthy Chapman Chartered Professional Accountants, Provident10, St. John's International Airport Authority, and Vale Base Metals.

2026 census starts May 4

Every five years, the Canadian Census of Population is conducted, and the information collected helps paint a portrait of Canada’s population and changing society. The census is how the government enumerates, or counts, the population and gathers information that helps different levels of government make plans and decisions. Census data, combined with information from income tax returns and immigration data, can help researchers and policymakers answer questions for different topics based on expected population sizes, such as:

• How many schools are needed in an area?
• Do we have enough hospitals?
• Are changes required in transportation planning?

The Census is mandatory; every household must complete it. Learn more at: www.census.gc.ca.

AI Builders NL - Bi-weekly Meetups

AI Builders NL is bringing together individuals across Newfoundland and Labrador who are actively building with artificial intelligence. Hosted at CO. Innovation Centre in St. John’s, these free meetups feature live demos, quick tutorials, and practical insights from people developing AI agents, fine-tuning models, and launching AI-enabled tools and companies. The sessions take place every second Tuesday, offering a space for builders to share ideas, showcase projects, and connect with others working at the leading edge of AI.

Location: COIC, 710 Torbay Road, St. John’s

Date: April 14 & April 28

Time: 4:30 p.m. networking | 5:00 p.m. demos

Cost: Free

Registration Details: LinkedIn