New Western strategic defence alliance created to anchor Canadian security

The Edmonton Region Defence Alliance will capitalize on geography, innovation and industry to deliver Canada’s defence and security priorities.

The Edmonton region is building on its position as a strategically located northern innovation and logistics powerhouse, and the backbone of the Western Canadian economy to advance the region as a defence, security and dual-use technology hub.

The Edmonton Region Defence Alliance (ERDA) is a newly-launched coordinated partnership heralded by the University of Alberta, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Edmonton Global, Alberta’s Industrial Heartland and Edmonton International Airport (YEG). ERDA leverages the Edmonton region’s strategic location, industrial readiness, resources, talent and the grit it is known for to protect Canadian sovereignty.

As the closest major city to Canada’s Arctic, Edmonton serves as a continental logistics hub. The Edmonton International Airport is formalizing its role as the planned location of the Western Main Operating Base (MOB-West) for the RCAF’s CC-330 Husky fleet, critically extending defence operations for CFB Edmonton, CFB Wainwright and 4 Wing Cold Lake, strengthening our position as the gateway to the north.

To further support defence and logistics, Port Alberta — a major regional inland port development opportunity — will enhance existing transportation and supply chain solutions to connect Alberta’s economy to worldwide markets.

Anchoring the alliance is Alberta’s Industrial Heartland — the country’s largest energy, plastics and petrochemical cluster — and Nisku Industrial Park — North America’s second-largest industrial fabrication zone, as well as a highly educated workforce, including one in five of Canada’s engineers who deliver some of the largest infrastructure projects in North America.

NAIT and the U of A will continue to play a leading role in educating and equipping the nation’s youngest, fastest-growing talent pool. Consistently ranked in Canada’s top three research colleges, NAIT is leading the technical scaling of a futuristic workforce as evidenced by its reputation for turning complex defence concepts into prototypes and manufactured goods.

As the province’s bedrock of innovation and flagship post-secondary institution, the U of A joins the alliance with an international reputation as an artificial intelligence powerhouse. It is also designated as a NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) test centre, and is home to Canada’s only university research centre dedicated to defence and dual-use technologies: the Centre for Applied Research in Dual-use Defence Technologies. CARDD-Tech currently operates more than $25 million in defence projects.

In addition to all this, the region also has a long military history and currently supports 12,000 Canadian Armed Forces personnel across CFB Edmonton, Wainwright, Suffield, and 4 Wing Cold Lake.

“The University of Alberta is proud to be a founding member of the Edmonton Region Defence Alliance (ERDA), a partnership that leverages our region’s unique industrial and geographic advantages to protect Canadian sovereignty. We are committed to supporting Canada’s defence and security priorities through world-class research, innovation, and talent development collaboratively with our indigenous, military and industrial communities.”

Aminah Robinson Fayek,
University of Alberta Vice President (Research) 

“The Edmonton region is Canada’s western hub for defence and security, and the Edmonton Region Defence Alliance brings that coordination into focus. As a founding partner, Edmonton Global is helping to align industry, academia, and government to present a clear value proposition to investors, prime contractors, and partners – turning coordination into sustained trade and economic growth for the Edmonton region, aligned with Canada’s defence priorities.”

Daryn Edgar,
CEO, Edmonton Global

“The launch of ERDA is a significant milestone for Canada’s western defence ecosystem. At NAIT, we recognize that workforce readiness is essential to success. As a founding partner, we are committed to providing defence and aerospace projects in this region with job-ready, hands-on trained talent where and when they are needed most.”

 Peter Leclaire,
VP Academic, NAIT

“Alberta’s Industrial Heartland is proud to anchor the industrial backbone of the Edmonton Region Defence Alliance. Canada’s defence and security priorities depend on reliable energy, advanced manufacturing, and resilient supply chains — and that’s exactly what this region delivers. With world-class industrial infrastructure, feedstock access, and the capacity to scale quickly, the Heartland strengthens Canada’s ability to build, power and supply the systems that protect our sovereignty.”

Mark Plamondon,
Executive Director Alberta Industrial Heartland

“Defence readiness relies on infrastructure that can support aviation and rapid response operations. Edmonton International Airport plays a critical role in that system, and we are a strategic asset for Canada’s defence and security. As Canada’s largest airport by land mass, we offer shovel ready, secure sites with built in access to transportation and logistics infrastructure.”

Myron Keehn,
President & CEO,
Edmonton International Airport

“I am incredibly excited to see the formation of the Edmonton Region Defence Alliance (ERDA) in collaboration with our regional and education partners. The Edmonton region holds a unique and critical position in Canada. As the closest major metropolitan area to key strategic locations in the North, our geography, talent, and innovation technologies in AI and life sciences create a unique opportunity for sovereignty, logistics, and long-term defence capability. The Edmonton Region Defence Alliance is an important initiative that will strengthen our region’s economy and solidify our vital role in Canada’s defence and security landscape.”

Mayor Andrew Knack,
City of Edmonton

“The world is changing, and cities like Edmonton must shift gears to meet the moment, positioning themselves at the forefront of evolving supply chains and global uncertainty. I’m proud to see my home city launching a new Defence Alliance that aligns with Canada’s federal Defence Industrial Strategy. Now is the time to invest in our military capacity, and this initiative will play a key role in building both Edmonton and Canada strong.”

The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski,
Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)