Uniting industry, Indigenous organizations and academia to strengthen Canada's Arctic and maritime security
Calian Group Ltd., a mission-critical solutions company focused on defence, space, healthcare and other strategic infrastructure sectors, today announced the formation of Canada's first integrated Canadian Arctic Maritime Security Consortium (CAMSC) bringing together six Atlantic organizations to create an end-to-end maritime capability to support Canada's evolving defence priorities while strengthening Atlantic Canada's role in Canada's sovereign defence industrial base.
“Canada is, and always will be, an Arctic nation, and our Arctic and maritime security are inseparable from our sovereignty, prosperity and collective security,” said Chris Pogue, President, Defence and Space, Calian. “No single organization can deliver the capability Canada needs on its own. CAMSC brings together expertise across Canada’s maritime ecosystem to help strengthen defence readiness, accelerate sovereign capability and create new opportunities for our Atlantic marine and defence sectors as Canada invests in the next generation of Arctic and maritime security.”
The founding members include:
Calian – Systems of system interoperability and orchestration, C5ISRT, training and simulation, secure communications, cyber resilience, health services and technologies supporting defence, Arctic and maritime operations.
Genoa Design International – Digital ship design, production engineering and design-for-build expertise supporting Canadian and North American shipbuilding programs.
Horizon Naval Engineering – Indigenous maritime operations, seafarer training and workforce development supporting crew readiness and northern marine operations.
Newdock – Ship repair, refit, maintenance and lifecycle sustainment for marine and defence vessels.
PolArctic Canada – AI-enabled Arctic sea-ice forecasting, ocean modelling and decision-support tools supporting safer maritime operations.
Arctic Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) – Arctic economic development, Indigenous participation, infrastructure development and northern operational expertise.
The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University– Marine education, applied research, ocean technology, operational testing and workforce development supporting Canada's evolving maritime sector.
“Memorial University's Marine Institute is proud to be a founding member of the Canadian Arctic Maritime Security Consortium,” said Dr. Janet Morrison, President & Vice Chancellor, Memorial University Newfoundland. “Through our unique capabilities in marine education, applied research, operational testing and Arctic training, we look forward to working with our partners to develop the skilled people, technologies and operational solutions needed to support Canada's evolving maritime and defence priorities.”
The consortium is designed to accelerate the transition of Canadian-led capabilities into defence and security programs that support Arctic operations, maritime surveillance, autonomous systems, workforce development, industrial and technological benefits (ITBs), and next-generation defence capabilities. Together, the partners will pursue opportunities spanning Arctic domain awareness, operational training, digital engineering, secure communications and sovereign capability development, helping position Atlantic Canada as a leader in Canada's next generation of Arctic and maritime security. A key early initiative is the development of a Canadian Centre of Excellence for Maritime and Arctic Training, bringing together advanced simulation, operational training, applied research and digital technologies to prepare Canada's future Arctic workforce while supporting the evolving needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian Coast Guard and Canada's marine industries.
“This consortium represents exactly the kind of collaborative, Canadian-led approach needed to help strengthen Arctic security and sovereignty,” said Sean Leet, President, Horizon Naval Engineering. “By bringing together industry, Indigenous organizations, training institutions and defence-focused expertise, we have an opportunity to build practical dual-use capability here in our province, and Atlantic Canada, while supporting the people, infrastructure and partnerships required for safe, effective northern operations. Horizon is proud to be part of this effort and to help advance workforce development, Indigenous maritime participation and long-term readiness in Canada’s Arctic.”
CAMSC is being launched as Canada accelerates investment in sovereign defence capability, Arctic security and industrial capacity. Through the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Government of Canada recently committed $6.6 billion over five years, including a $379 million Regional Defence Investment Initiative with $38.2 million dedicated to Atlantic Canada. Home to more than 200 defence companies, nearly 10,000 defence and aerospace jobs, and 34% of Canada's marine workforce, Atlantic Canada is well positioned to help deliver Canada's next generation of maritime and Arctic capability.
The agreement also reflects the essential role of Indigenous leadership, ownership and participation in advancing Canada’s Arctic and maritime security priorities. With Indigenous-focused and majority Indigenous-owned partners contributing northern expertise, maritime operations, workforce development and industrial capacity, CAMSC is positioned to create meaningful economic opportunities, support skills development and strengthen community benefits. This collaborative model also supports Canada’s objectives under the Defence Industrial Strategy by helping ensure that future defence investments advance reconciliation, build resilient northern supply chains and include Indigenous partners as active participants in Canada’s defence industrial base.
CAMSC was publicly debuted today at a signing ceremony during the Maritime Arctic Security and Safety (MASS) Conference in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Members hosted the event with the Honourable Lin Paddock, Minister of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development, Minister of Immigration, and Minister of Francophone Affairs for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
