B.C. gets CAD $13.8M for AI, aerospace defence projects
PacifiCan has announced more than $13.8 million for five artificial intelligence and aerospace projects in British Columbia through the Regional Defence Investment Initiative.
The package supports two projects at the University of Victoria and three B.C. companies working in satellite systems, software for unmanned platforms and maritime navigation.
The largest award, $4 million, will go to the University of Victoria's Centre for Aerospace Research to establish a satellite ground station and expand testing facilities for aerospace and digital technologies.
A further $1.4 million has been allocated to the university's Advanced Control and Intelligent Systems Lab for an AI-powered drone system designed to autonomously map structures and terrain at high resolution.
Three private-sector projects are also included. Arcane Aerospace will receive just over $3 million to develop satellite technology for in-orbit operations, while Atreides has been awarded about $2.5 million to commercialise software that improves how unmanned systems collect, share and analyse data across land, air and maritime environments.
OSI Maritime Systems will receive nearly $2.9 million to design and test an AI-driven Collision Avoidance Decision Aid intended to help vessels detect hazards and make navigation decisions in difficult ocean conditions.
Defence Focus
The investment forms part of a broader federal effort to expand defence-related industrial spending and research in Canada. The Regional Defence Investment Initiative is a national three-year program worth $379.2 million, delivered through Canada's regional development agencies.
In British Columbia, PacifiCan is responsible for $67.5 million under the scheme over three years. The program is intended to support defence and dual-use industries through industrial capacity, research infrastructure, and supply chain readiness.
The latest awards target sectors where British Columbia already has an established base, particularly aerospace, digital systems and marine technology. Greater Victoria, where the announcement was made, is home to the University of Victoria and several companies involved in defence or dual-use work.
The announcement was made by Will Greaves, Member of Parliament for Victoria, on behalf of Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada.
"British Columbia has the talent, innovation and expertise to help protect Canada and our Allies. By investing in AI and aerospace innovation here on Vancouver Island and across the province, we're giving researchers and businesses the tools they need to seize defence industrial opportunities, protect our sovereignty, and help build one strong Canadian economy," said Robertson in a written statement.
The funding round forms part of Canada's broader Defence Industrial Strategy, under which the federal government has said it will direct an initial $6.6 billion into the industrial base and supply chains.
Across the five projects, the mix of satellite infrastructure, autonomous mapping, unmanned-systems software and vessel-navigation tools points to technologies that can move between military and civilian use. The government defines those sectors as dual-use industries, with applications ranging from environmental monitoring and disaster response to surveillance and maritime safety.