The DEFSEC Atlantic trade show is occupying much of the Halifax Convention Centre these days. More than 20 countries are represented, and an attendance record was reached with about 3,500 people signed up, providing a space for them to meet under one roof. According to DEFSEC Atlantic executive director Colin Stephenson, that is “absolutely critical.” “As Canada looks to diversify its defence procurement partnerships, we’re seeing more and more countries from NATO, as well as beyond, participate at DEFSEC,” says Stephenson. There are more than 17,000 defence and aerospace jobs in Nova Scotia. According to the province, the sector contributes $2.7 billion – or six per cent – to the province’s GDP. Colton LeBlanc, the growth, development and defence industries minister, says that number could grow if federal spending continues in our region. “[Nova Scotia has] the highest per capita GDP spend on defence in the entire country,” says LeBlanc. “That is a recognition of the assets that we have here, the military personnel that we have here, and the proximity to the North Atlantic and to the Arctic.” But while many companies are focused on defence, for others, the sector only makes up 10 to 20 per cent of their business. That includes Rousseau Metal, headquartered in Quebec, offering toolboxes, storage units and workbenches. “When the Canadian war fighter or naval member, or even somebody just down at CFB Halifax, and those guys are working and gals are working in their fields,” says Randy Peardon, Rousseau’s director of Canadian sales. “They’re operating with those things every day; they don’t think about it working, but it’s just there and it just works.” The federal government has just announced plans to turn its Defence Investment Agency into a Crown corporation. Earlier this year, the prime minister announced Ottawa reached NATO’s 2 per cent GDP spending target, and vowed to hit the new five per cent benchmark by 2035. That’s part of why it’s important for those training the next generation to attend the event. “All of these initiatives that are happening in defence, they need workforce development,” says Philip Dawe, dean of Applied Technology and Innovation at NSCC. “Obviously, trades are important in a lot of that, advanced technology, as well as artificial intelligence.” But not everyone is on side with defence spending. A small group of protestors demonstrated outside. “I’m here on behalf of all of the citizens of the world, but specifically Halifax, who do not want a war-mongering convention in the city, and who want to bring forward an agenda of peace,” says Kathrin Winkler, a spokesperson for Nova Scotia Voice of Women for Peace. The conference continues into Thursday. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
