When Canada unveiled its new BOREALIS framework earlier this year—a bold, whole-of-nation push to strengthen sovereign defence innovation—the eyes of industry, academia, and security partners across the country turned toward what would come first. On November 21, 2025, that answer arrived on the Halifax waterfront.

In Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Defence Minister David J. McGuinty, joined by ACOA Minister Sean Fraser, announced the launch of Canada’s first Maritime Defence Innovation Secure Hub (DISH) at COVE, the premier hub for ocean technology in the Halifax Regional Municipality. It is a milestone that not only signals intent, but accelerates Canada’s path toward a resilient, independent, and globally competitive defence-innovation ecosystem.

“Today’s investment connects the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces with the next generation of Canadian innovators. We need to set up our industry for success – and we cannot do that if our armed forces and businesses are unable share critical information. As Canada rebuilds, rearms and reinvests in our armed forces, we will build a strong industry to support our workers and communities across the country,” stated the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence.

As allies face shifting power dynamics and rapid technological change, Canada is moving deliberately to strengthen its sovereign capabilities. Central to that strategy is creating environments where breakthroughs can be developed and validated with the security, speed, and scale required to meet modern threats.

The Maritime DISH is the first such environment.

Funded by a $29.4-million federal investment, the new hub will provide a fully secure, purpose-built space where Canadian researchers, scientists, defence operators, and trusted partners can collaborate on sensitive projects that require classified handling. It is the pilot site for what will eventually become a national network of secure innovation hubs under BOREALIS—each one tailored to areas critical to Canada’s long-term security and economic resilience.

Across the country, these hubs will advance technologies spanning quantum computing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, autonomous systems, Arctic science, and space. In Atlantic Canada, the focus is squarely on one of the region’s defining strengths: ocean technology.

“We need stronger homegrown tools to keep Canada safe, so our government is setting up a secure place in Dartmouth where experts can work on new ocean and defence technology. This new hub, called the Maritime DISH, will help protect our coastline and the Arctic. It also means more good jobs in our region and more chances for local companies to work directly with our Armed Forces,” explained the Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., K.C., Member of Parliament for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

With naval, industry, academic, and federal partners literally operating side by side, the Maritime DISH represents a new model of innovation—one designed to shorten development cycles, improve interoperability, and accelerate the transition of promising technologies into operational service.

Its collaborative mandate is focused on four priority areas:

When combined, these capabilities will strengthen Canada’s ability to detect, deter, and respond to emerging maritime threats—not just at home, but in support of NATO partners and Canada’s broader role in North Atlantic security.

“Atlantic Canada is a culture of innovation, and COVE, with its strategic location along the shores of Dartmouth, is helping drive Canada’s ocean technology sector. The new Maritime DISH builds on this incredible work and will strengthen collaboration between innovators, researchers, and defence partners, reinforcing COVE’s role as a national asset in advancing maritime security and technology. As I always say, companies and stakeholders in Dartmouth—Cole Harbour are doing big things, and I’m thrilled that we will host this first-of-its-kind hub, creating new opportunities and supporting Canada’s security for years to come,” expressed the Honourable Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour.

Canada’s security environment is evolving at breakneck speed. Global competition, disruptive technologies, and new strategic pressures are redefining how nations protect their people and their prosperity. In response, Canada is reinforcing its commitment to sovereign innovation—ensuring that the technologies critical to defence and national resilience are developed on Canadian soil, supported by Canadian expertise, and available when needed.

The launch of the Maritime DISH is a foundational step in that mission. It strengthens the innovation ecosystem. It builds new pathways for collaboration. And it positions Canada to seize opportunities in dual-use technologies that drive both defence capability and economic growth.

Most importantly, it shows that BOREALIS is not just a vision—it is now taking shape on the ground, beginning on the shores of Halifax Harbour.