DEC will help the University de Sherbrooke and the Advanced Technology Center BRP-Université de Sherbrooke (CTA) accelerate their integration into national and international defense supply chains.
Sherbrooke, Quebec, March 17, 2026 – Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)
Today, the Honorable Élisabeth Brière, Member of the National Assembly for Sherbrooke and Deputy Government Whip, accompanied by Marianne Dandurand, Member of the National Assembly for Compton –Stanstead, on behalf of the Honorable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for CED, announced CED funding totaling $2,830,800 to support two projects in the Eastern Townships region under the Regional Defense Investment Initiative for Quebec (IRID). Canada is strengthening its long-term security and prosperity through investments and targets aimed at building a stronger and more resilient defence industrial base.
The recipients are the University of Sherbrooke and the BRP-University of Sherbrooke Advanced Technology Center. This funding from the DEC will enable them to increase their productivity and enhance their capacity for innovation.
The University de Sherbrooke, which is dedicated to teaching, research, and technology transfer, has received a non-repayable grant of $2,005,200. This funding will enable the university to stimulate innovation and promote technology transfer in the advanced technologies sector to Canadian companies whose products and services are aimed, among other things, at the defense market.
For its part, the Advanced Technology Center BRP-Université de Sherbrooke, an organization that provides support to businesses in the areas of innovation and technology transfer, is receiving a non-repayable grant of $825,600 from DEC. This support will enable the center to acquire equipment to foster innovative development in vehicle engineering among Canadian companies whose products and services target, among other sectors, the defense market.
A strong defence industry is essential to the country’s sovereignty and national security, as well as to its economic resilience and long-term prosperity. As such, the Government of Canada is taking bold steps to foster a more resilient and sustainable defence industrial base, including through targeted regional investments designed to increase Canada’s defence industrial capacity.
“SMEs are at the heart of regional economic development and play a vital role in our government’s plan to build, protect, and strengthen Canada’s defense industry. Through the Regional Defense Investment Initiative, CED is making strategic investments that help the University of Sherbrooke and the BRP-University of Sherbrooke Advanced Technology Center drive research and innovation in the defense sector and create high-quality jobs. “Our government has a clear and ambitious plan to strengthen Canada’s sovereignty, security, and prosperity, while generating economic benefits for industry and communities across Quebec.”
The Honorable Mélanie Joly, Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Minister of Industry, and Minister responsible for DEC
“This support from Canada Economic Development enables the CTA to take a significant step forward in the development of dual-use technologies with potential applications in both the civilian and defense sectors. It also supports the establishment of our three research chairs in partnership with BRP and the University of Sherbrooke, thereby strengthening a world-class innovation ecosystem right here in Quebec.”
Éric Charlebois, Executive Director, CTA.
KEY FACTS
- As announced in the 2025 Budget, initial investments have been made to support Canada’s defense industrial base by allocating $6.6 billion over five years starting in 2025–2026, as part of the future Defense Industrial Strategy.
- These initial investments will stimulate research and innovation, strengthen domestic supply chains, and improve access to funding for Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises in the defense sector.
- It is in this context that the Honorable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for CED, announced on December 8, 2025, the implementation of the Regional Defense Investment Initiative for Quebec (IRID), aimed at meeting the country’s defense needs while stimulating regional economic development. In Quebec, the IRID has an investment budget of $64.9 million over three years.
- IRID funding is provided under CED’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (CERI) program. This program is aimed at entrepreneurs who leverage innovation to grow their businesses and strengthen their competitiveness, as well as regional economic stakeholders who help create an entrepreneurial ecosystem conducive to innovation and growth for all, in all regions.
- By leveraging DEC’s expertise and strong regional presence in Quebec in the area of innovation support, IRID will strengthen Canada’s defense industrial base across the country while helping Canada meet its NATO defense spending commitments.