DND infrastructure chief lays out the Arctic, submarine and housing build-out ahead
Canada's defence infrastructure portfolio is entering its busiest stretch in a generation. DND is moving ahead on Arctic airfield and hangar upgrades, new housing for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, and the enabling infrastructure for a future submarine fleet, all while several major capital projects compete for the same pool of skilled trades and construction capacity.
Peter Hammerschmidt, Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure), spoke with Vanguard Defence about how DND is sequencing this work, including Arctic hub development, infrastructure planning at CFB Halifax and CFB Esquimalt for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, and how cyber resilience is being built into bases and wings.
Hammerschmidt also addressed where industry can make the greatest contribution over the next several years.
Across the portfolio, from northern sites and secure facilities to airfields, dockyards and bases, what are your top infrastructure priorities right now?
Our focus is on three things: strengthening continental defence and our presence in the Arctic and North, improving housing for CAF members and their families, and ensuring infrastructure is in place for the next generation of military capabilities.
In the Arctic and North, we're making some of the largest infrastructure investments in a generation, upgrading strategic airfields, hangars and warehousing in Yellowknife, Inuvik, Iqaluit and 5 Wing Goose Bay, and developing Northern Operational Support Hubs in Resolute Bay, Whitehorse, Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet. We're also investing in DND's residential housing portfolio through new construction, modernization and partnerships, and modernizing infrastructure for new aircraft and maritime fleets.
As Canada advances its future submarine program, how is your team assessing the basing, dockyard and supporting infrastructure a new fleet could require?
The Government of Canada has begun procuring up to 12 conventionally powered, under-ice capable submarines through the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. The project isn't only about acquiring submarines, it's also about developing the modern infrastructure needed to support and sustain them for decades to come.
DND is working closely with the Royal Canadian Navy to plan the enabling infrastructure required at CFB Halifax and CFB Esquimalt. Exact siting, costs and timelines are still being finalized.
With skilled trades, construction capacity and materials already under pressure, how is DND planning for competing demands across overlapping programs?
We've developed a National Real Property Portfolio Plan that sequences projects based on operational requirements, asset conditions and available capacity. We're engaging industry early through initiatives such as our annual Building Defence conference, and working closely with Defence Construction Canada to improve project scheduling and identify market constraints early.
How is DND incorporating cyber resilience into the design, construction and operation of bases and wings?
We work closely with the Digital Services Group, because cyber resilience is increasingly part of infrastructure resilience. The Cyber Real Property Assurance Program assesses cyber risks across defence infrastructure and informs mitigation measures. Exercises such as DIGITAL FORTRESS complement this by testing critical infrastructure resilience in realistic scenarios.
Where can industry partners make the greatest contribution to DND's infrastructure priorities over the next several years?
The scale of investment we're undertaking can't be delivered by government alone. We're particularly interested in firms that can help deliver infrastructure in the North and Arctic, housing, energy resilience, digital infrastructure and facilities for new military capabilities. We also want to maximize participation from northern and Indigenous businesses. Maintaining current security clearances and contracting qualifications will help position companies to compete for future opportunities.
