Ontario Construction News staff writer
FedNor is providing more than $2.7 million to two Northern Ontario projects aimed at expanding Canada’s defence capabilities, creating skilled jobs and strengthening the region’s aerospace and cybersecurity sectors.
Federal funding, provided through the Government of Canada’s Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII), will support projects led by the International Test Pilots School (ITPS) Canada and SKADI Cyber Defense Corporation.
The largest award, a repayable contribution of $1.5 million, will help ITPS Canada relocate its International Tactical Training Centre (ITTC) to North Bay’s Jack Garland Airport. Funding will be used to renovate and equip a 21,000-square-foot hangar dedicated to Fighter Lead-In Training, an advanced tactical program that prepares NATO and allied military pilots to operate next-generation fighter aircraft.
“North Bay’s airspace, aviation infrastructure and military heritage give us the right operating environment to prepare pilots for modern operations,” said Dave Lohse, CEO of ITPS Canada. “It will strengthen Canada’s capacity to support NATO and allied readiness while creating highly skilled aerospace and defence jobs in Northern Ontario.”
The project is expected to create about 60 full-time jobs while reinforcing North Bay’s role as a defence and aerospace training hub.
FedNor is also providing a repayable investment of $1.2 million to SKADI Cyber Defense Corporation to accelerate development and commercialization of its Frostbow AI Cyber Defense system.
The autonomous cybersecurity platform is designed to detect, assess and respond to cyber threats in real time with minimal human intervention. The funding will allow the company to enhance the system’s capabilities to better identify threats, plan responses and defend critical networks and digital infrastructure.
“Our proprietary system continuously detects, investigates and responds to cyber threats in seconds so we can safeguard digital infrastructure, business information and protect Canada’s defence sector,” said Rachel Clark, CEO and founder of SKADI Cyber Defense Corporation.
FedNor also announced the launch of the Northern Ontario Defence Opportunities (NODO) Program, which will help small and medium-sized businesses prepare to enter Canada’s growing defence sector.
Delivered by The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound in partnership with the City of North Bay’s Northern Ontario Road to Defence Program, the initiative offers non-repayable funding covering up to 75 per cent of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $50,000.
Funding can be used for activities such as obtaining certifications, upgrading technology and equipment, market development and other investments needed to compete for defence-related work.
The program is open to incorporated Northern Ontario businesses with fewer than 500 employees that can demonstrate their products or services have defence applications.
North Bay Mayor Peter Chirco said the program will help regional companies capitalize on opportunities created by Canada’s expanding defence industry, while Jennifer Nickerson, executive director of The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound, said it will position Northern Ontario businesses to participate in a rapidly growing sector.
