Government of Canada invests to boost British Columbia small- and medium-sized businesses’ contribution to Canada’s defence ambition
December 5, 2025 – Surrey, British Columbia
Across the country, Canada is making generational investments to rebuild and modernize our national defence capabilities, advance economic resilience, and grow and safeguard the prosperity of Canadians for decades to come. As part of this effort, the Government of Canada is ensuring that Canadian businesses have the tools, technologies and opportunities needed to meet the security needs of tomorrow.
Today, the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, announced that PacifiCan will invest $63.1 million through the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) to help B.C.’s small- and medium-sized businesses grow by integrating into domestic and international defence supply chains, building their capacity, and helping them continue to innovate. This includes investment in businesses whose products and services are dual use and who plan to supply the defence sector; it also includes investments in not-for-profit organizations who work with businesses.
The RDII is a $357.7 million, three-year national initiative delivered by Canada’s Regional Development Agencies, including PacifiCan. A strong defence industry is key to Canada’s national sovereignty and security as well as its economic resilience and long-term prosperity. By investing in our small- and medium-sized businesses, we boost our ability to Buy Canadian and help our companies access global market opportunities.
The RDII will launch in B.C. in early 2026. To learn more, visit Regional Defence Investment Initiative in British Columbia.