Federal investment helping to turn Oshawa university into defence technology hub

Ottawa is investing $5 million to turn Ontario Tech University’s Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) facility into a leading Canadian defence technology hub aligned with Canadian and allied military standards.

Companies will now have access to expertise and strategic infrastructure locally to help them compete in domestic and allied markets, while strengthening supply chain resilience, boosting Canada’s defence industrial base, enhancing innovation and supporting high-skilled jobs.

“This investment will help position Oshawa and Durham Region at the forefront of Canada’s growing defence and advanced manufacturing sectors. Ontario Tech University is creating opportunities for businesses, researchers and workers while strengthening Canada’s economic resilience and security,” said Whitby MP Ryan Turnbull.

The funding, noted Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon, will also help strengthen Canadian sovereign capabilities for advanced vehicles, aerospace systems, drones and other emerging defence related technologies, helping manufacturers and innovators commercialize products domestically.

“Ontario Tech University is helping build the sovereign capabilities Canada needs in an increasingly complex global environment,” he said. “By investing in domestic defence capabilities, we are strengthening Canada’s industrial base, supporting innovation, and ensuring Canadian companies can compete and grow here at home and with our allies abroad.”

Delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies, the Regional Defence Investment Initiative is a national $357.7-million investment supporting the growth and integration of businesses into domestic and international defence supply chains

Ontario Tech University, a research-intensive university located in Oshawa, provides testing, research and development services that support industry partners in mobility, clean technology and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Thanks to the federal government funding, testing and research capabilities across the defence, aerospace, and transportation sectors at the university’s Automotive Centre of Excellence will be “significantly” expanded, said Ontario Tech President Dr. Steven Murphy.