Skip to Main content

23.84°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jul 14, 2026 7:05 PM - Connect Newsroom - Jasmine Singh

Ottawa announces $30M drone defence innovation centre in Quebec

Share On

The federal government says it will invest nearly $30 million over two years to establish a new defence innovation centre focused on military drone research and development in Quebec.

National Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the funding Wednesday in Mirabel, Que., a major aerospace manufacturing hub. According to the Department of National Defence, the project will support the creation and operation of a defence innovation centre dedicated to unmanned systems.

The initiative will be led by Aéro Montréal and a consortium of 30 organizations representing industry, academic institutions and the nonprofit sector. The group will work to research, design, produce and test drone technologies intended to strengthen Canada's defence capabilities. The new hub will be sponsored by the Canadian Joint Forces Command.

In a statement, McGuinty said unmanned aerial systems are reshaping modern military operations and that Canada must continue adapting to evolving defence technologies.

Quebec Economy Minister Bernard Drainville said the war in Ukraine has demonstrated the growing importance of drones in military operations. He said collaboration between the federal government and Quebec on drone development would strengthen Canada's security, support the province's aerospace sector and improve the country's ability to develop its own defence capabilities.

Latest news

new-westminster-police-officers-help-rescue-15-residents-from-apartment-fire

New Westminster police officers help rescue 15 residents from apartment fire

New Westminster Police Department officers helped rescue 15 residents from a burning apartment building Thursday evening after spotting smoke while working nearby, according to the police department. Police said officers were in the 800 block of 5th Avenue at about 6 p.m. when they became aware of the fire. As they approached the building, they saw several older adults leaning out of windows to avoid the smoke. According to a New Westminster Police Department news release, officers entered the building alongside crews from New Westminster Fire and Rescue Service and assisted 15 residents to sa

Coquitlam man faces six firearms charges following Surrey and Coquitlam searches

A 35-year-old Coquitlam man is facing six firearms-related charges after a joint investigation by B.C.'s anti-gang police and the Surrey RCMP Provincial Operations Support Unit. According to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), the investigation began in June. On July 16, officers executed search warrants at two residences in the 11500 block of 141A Street in Surrey and the 4300 block of Quarry Road in Coquitlam. Police said investigators seized several firearms during the searches, including two Beretta handguns. Officers arrested Sadiq Azimali Daya at

man-dies-after-fleeing-surrey-traffic-stop-struck-by-vehicle-on-highway-10

Man dies after fleeing Surrey traffic stop, struck by vehicle on Highway 10

A man died after being struck by a vehicle while fleeing on foot following a traffic stop in Surrey late Thursday night, according to the Surrey Police Service. Police said an officer stopped a westbound vehicle for a traffic enforcement check at about 11 p.m. in the 15600 block of 56 Avenue, along Highway 10. The driver then exited the vehicle and fled on foot. According to the Surrey Police Service, the man was crossing the roadway when he was struck by an eastbound vehicle. Surrey police officers, Surrey Fire Service crews and BC Emergency Health Services paramedics attempted life-saving me

suspect-arrested-after-firearm-reported-at-new-westminster-shopping-centre

Suspect arrested after firearm reported at New Westminster shopping centre

A suspect is facing potential charges after allegedly brandishing a firearm at a patron outside a coffee shop in New Westminster on Wednesday morning, according to the New Westminster Police Department. Police said officers responded to a 9-1-1 call at about 6 a.m. on July 30 after receiving reports that a person had pointed a firearm at someone seated on the patio of a business in the Columbia Square shopping centre. Investigators determined the suspect fled across Columbia Street, passed through a hole in a fence and crossed nearby railway tracks. Officers searched the area with assistance f

b-c-supreme-court-strikes-down-parts-of-mental-health-act-allowing-treatment-without-consent

B.C. Supreme Court strikes down parts of Mental Health Act allowing treatment without consent

The B.C. Supreme Court has ruled that portions of the province's Mental Health Act that allow patients to receive psychiatric treatment without their consent are unconstitutional, giving the provincial government six months to amend the legislation. Justice Lauren Blake found that British Columbia was the only province in Canada where patients could be subjected to psychiatric treatment without an assessment of their decision-making capacity. The court concluded that the provisions violate constitutional protections. The ruling comes as the B.C. government is pursuing plans to expand involunta

Related News

Indian student in Canada sentenced to four years in U.S. senior fraud scheme

Indian student in Canada sentenced to four years in U.S. senior fraud scheme

A 22-year-old Indian national who was studying in Canada has been sentenced to four years in prison in the United States after being convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with a multimillion-dollar fraud targeting seniors. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Roshan Shah entered the United States multiple times on a visitor visa while studying in Canada and collected approximately US$3.7 million from 15 elderly victims in several states. Authorities allege the scheme relied on callers based in India who falsely claimed the victims' identities had been linked to c

Canada's economy grew 0.3% in May, second-quarter annualized growth estimated at 3.4%

Canada's economy grew 0.3% in May, second-quarter annualized growth estimated at 3.4%

Canada's economy expanded by 0.3 per cent in May, exceeding market expectations of 0.1 per cent, according to data released Friday by Statistics Canada. The increase follows a 0.6 per cent gain recorded in April, marking a second consecutive month of economic growth. Statistics Canada said the latest figures point to an estimated annualized growth rate of 3.4 per cent for the second quarter of 2026. The estimate is preliminary and will be updated as additional data become available. According to the agency, growth in May was led by a 1.0 per cent increase in the mining, quarrying, and oil and

Prime Minister Carney announces $10B investment to expand Port of Vancouver capacity

Prime Minister Carney announces $10B investment to expand Port of Vancouver capacity

Prime Minister Mark Carney visited the Port of Vancouver in Delta on Thursday, where he announced a proposed $10 billion federal investment to expand the port's capacity and strengthen Canada's access to international markets beyond the United States. According to the Prime Minister, the expansion project is intended to increase Canadian exports to non-U.S. markets by 50 per cent, with a focus on agricultural products and other key commodities. The federal government says the investment is aimed at improving Canada's trade infrastructure and supporting long-term economic growth. Carney said th

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital