Alberta invests in aerospace and defence sector
By Your Southwest Media Group
Alberta's government is investing in the province's small and medium-sized businesses to position them as competitors for national and international defence industry contracts.
The bulk of the funding, more than $1 million, goes to the Alberta Aviation, Aerospace & Defence Council to support the new Leading Industry Forward Together (LIFT) Initiative. The program is expected to equip 40 small and medium-sized businesses with training, certification support, mentorship and market visibility.
LIFT funding includes a $550,000 grant from the Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration and $500,000 from the Ministry of Technology and Innovation through Alberta Innovates. It will be formally announced in Edmonton at the Alberta Aviation, Aerospace and Defence Summit.
"Alberta's government is investing in defence and dual-use industry development to help grow innovation, support jobs and position Alberta companies to compete in domestic and global markets," said Joseph Schow, Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration. "With strong industrial capabilities, skilled labour and innovation capacity, Alberta is well-positioned to support Canada's defence and security objectives while building a more resilient and diversified economy."
The province is also providing $200,000 to Community Futures Entre-Corp to support development of a long-term operating model for the Foremost Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Range in southern Alberta.
Foremost is one of Canada's two dedicated beyond visual line of sight flight-testing sites. It has not been in operation since September 2025. The grant will fund a feasibility study examining opportunities for increased range utilization, revenue certainty and potential roles in Canada's defence sector.
"The Foremost UAS Test Range is a critical infrastructure asset that has facilitated growth of the drone industry in southeast Alberta and beyond," said Sean Blewett, general manager of Community Futures Entre-Corp. "With the recently accelerated focus on Canada's domestic drone capabilities, now is an opportune time to reimagine how the range can be used optimally."
Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation, said the province has the foundation to compete in the sector.
"Alberta has the talent, the technology, and the industrial base to be a serious player in the defence and aerospace sector," he said. "These investments will ensure Alberta's brightest innovators have the support they need to lead the way."
Kendra Kincade, chair, president and CEO of the Alberta Aviation, Aerospace & Defence Council, said the funding addresses long-standing barriers in the sector.
"The LIFT Initiative will enable Alberta companies with defence-relevant technology to overcome barriers to entry and upskill for the defence market while also creating a united provincial voice that will drive regional prosperity and attract high-skilled talent to Alberta," she said.
Village of Foremost Mayor Larry Robinson welcomed the study.
"We always appreciate the ongoing support from Community Futures Entre-Corp to help the Village of Foremost in our efforts to support industry and diversify our rural economy," he said. "We look forward to implementing recommendations from the study."
The Alberta Aviation, Aerospace & Defence Council was established in 1962 and serves as the provincial hub connecting the province's aviation, aerospace and defence stakeholders. Community Futures Entre-Corp is a not-for-profit economic development organization based in Medicine Hat.