2 Edmonton businesses get federal funding for defence equipment production

The federal government is spending millions of dollars on two Edmonton companies under its new defence strategy.

Two Edmonton businesses are slated to get more than $6.5 million in federal funding to expand the Canadian production of critical defence equipment.

Eleanor Olszewski, minister of emergency management and community resilience and minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), was in Edmonton Thursday announcing the investment.

“Our prime minister has been clear: Security and our prosperity are now really inseparable, and national security really starts with industrial capacity,” said Olszewski. “To have strength abroad, we need to have strength at home.”

Funding will be delivered through the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) to Logican Technologies and Zero Point Cryogenics.

The RDII is a three-year $379.2-million national program that aims to rebuild Canada’s military and strengthen supply chains.

Logican Technologies will be expanding its manufacturing of defence-related technologies like sonar and sensors used to detect, locate and track submarines, naval communications and other defence electronic systems.

“We are a trusted partner in manufacturing electronic assemblies, components and control systems for our Canadian military and NATO defence suppliers,” said Logican president Mike Melle. “Our manufacturing expertise allows our customers to focus their resources on designing some of the most innovative products needed in today’s global environment.”

Logican will receive about $1.5 million.

PrairiesCan is investing $5 million into Zero Point Cryogenics, which will commercialize sub-Kelvin cryogenics used for defence prototypes and mission critical systems to meet domestic defence needs in quantum sensing, computing and communications.

“At Zero Point Cryogenics, we are building the foundation for the next generational shift: a quantum future,” said CEO Chris Casson. “Quantum computing, communications and sensing are no longer theoretical. They are becoming operational realities, particularly within the defence sector.”

Olszewski called Edmonton a city of innovators, skilled tradespeople and entrepreneurs.

“Edmonton has helped power Canada’s economy, and it really continues to lead in terms of advanced manufacturing, energy and emerging technologies,” said the minister. “Building at home strengthens Canada’s sovereignty.”

The investments into Logican and Zero Point are expected to create more than 145 jobs in the Edmonton area.