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Logo graphic with the phrase 'READY at THE EDGE OF THE' in large font.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Defence Industrial Base is Canada’s mission-ready position in the North Atlantic and gateway to the Arctic.

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Map provided by Memorial University, Department of Geography.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Defence Industrial Base

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Newfoundland and Labrador sits where Canada meets the North Atlantic. From here, the Arctic is closer, Europe is closer, and operations face fewer seasonal constraints. Ice-free ports, forward airfields, large-scale industrial capacity, and proven testing environments come together in one place.

This is not a future proposition. These capabilities exist today and align directly with Canada’s defence needs. We are Ready at the Edge.

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  • A large military ship docked at a port near industrial storage tanks and equipment, with a parking lot and buildings in the background.

    Canada’s closest jurisdiction to Europe and the Arctic

  • Aerial view of a harbour port with ships and industrial buildings, with roads and a bridge in the foreground, and hills in the background.

    Operational, industrial, and testing assets already in service

  • A large red ship navigating through icy waters with snow-covered mountains in the background.

    Year-round, ice-free access to Arctic approaches

Our location is Canada’s superpower

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On the edge of the North Atlantic, Newfoundland and Labrador provides the most reliable southern gateway to Arctic maritime operations, where operations also face fewer seasonal constraints. With deep expertise, Indigenous partnerships and scalable capabilities we are ready to meet the moment from a position like nowhere else in Canada.

A panoramic view of St. John's harbour with ships, surrounded by green hills and a cityscape under a blue sky with clouds.

Newfoundland and Labrador has what Canada needs

Coupled with our proximity and harsh conditions, we have the operational infrastructure and industrial scale ready to serve Canada.

Newfoundland and Labrador have supported Allied and continental defence operations for generations. During the Second World War and throughout the Cold War, airfields at Gander and Goose Bay as well as naval infrastructure at Argentia were integral to transatlantic and NATO operations. Today, 5 Wing Goose Bay remains a NORAD-aligned Forward Operating Location, and St. John’s hosts the Atlantic Coast Guard headquarters and Canada’s heavy icebreaker fleet.

Newfoundland and Labrador places Canada closer to its partners and anchors our presence in the North

  • A large red ship navigating through icy waters with a mountain range in the background.
  • A person is using simulation technology training to navigate a ship, looking at a screen that shows the view from the ship, a small window at an offshore oil platform in the distance during cloudy weather.
  • A person wearing glasses, a gray cap, and a blue shirt is playing an acoustic guitar while sitting on a bench outdoors. He is positioned in front of a colorful abstract mural with geometric shapes and bright colors.
  • A person wearing a white lab coat and a red shirt is holding a small object, possibly a model or a component, while working at a table with tools and glassware. The person is blurred in the foreground, with a bright computer screen in the background.

Newfoundland and Labrador: Strategically positioned to deliver critical value to Canada’s defence, industrial, and sovereignty priorities

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Most Reliable Southern Gateway

Arctic operations face fewer seasonal constraints

Ice-free, year-round ports

In Arctic and North Atlantic operations, what matters is how fast, how often, and how reliably you can get there. Newfoundland and Labrador reduces travel time, avoids seasonal ice constraints, and stays operational year-round with Ports in St. John’s, Town of Conception Bay South, Argentia, Bay Bulls, Corner Brook, and other Avalon Peninsula facilities operating year-round without seasonal ice closure. Reduced ice avoids icebreaking, speed restrictions, convoying, and seasonal closures that exponentially increase voyage time and cost.

A man in a yellow safety vest and black cap holding papers stands inside an industrial hangar or warehouse, near a open black hard case labeled 'HEAVY' on the floor. There is a drone with lights hovering in the background, and the environment has a dark, high-ceiling, metallic wall.

Defence Industrial Capability

Over 14,000 skilled trades experienced in harsh environments

A Resilient, Scalable Skilled Trades Workforce

Newfoundland and Labrador’s harsh environment has fostered a uniquely resilient workforce, comprising more than 14,000 skilled tradespeople and one of the highest concentrations of apprenticeships in Canada. This depth of expertise, supported by capable local firms, has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to scale rapidly and deliver large, complex projects to defence-adjacent standards.

A large ship docked at a port with ships and boats nearby, an industrial area with vehicles, and a city with green trees in the background.

Partnerships that Matter 

First Nations partnerships and ownership of marine infrastructure is driving success and scale in marine sustainment. 

First Nations expertise is leading the way to increased capacity in ship sustainment 

The First Nations of Qalipu and Membertou have joined forces and partnered with Horizon Maritime to purchase Newdock, one of the oldest shipyards in Canada and strategically located in the Port of the City of St. John’s. Newdock delivers world-class ship repair and refit services for marine vessels spanning many industries. 

Our History

Newfoundland and Labrador has played a significant role in wars and defence operations for more than a century because of its strategic location at the eastern edge of North America. During the First World War, Newfoundland—then a separate dominion—contributed thousands of volunteers, with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment becoming especially noted for its service and sacrifice on the Western Front.

In the Second World War, the province became a crucial North Atlantic hub. Airfields at places such as Gander and Goose Bay supported trans Atlantic aircraft ferrying and anti submarine patrols, while St. John’s served as a vital naval base protecting Allied shipping. In 1941, Placentia Bay hosted the historic meeting between Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt, leading to the Atlantic Charter.

During the Cold War, Newfoundland and Labrador supported NORAD air defence, radar networks, and NATO training. Today, its bases continue to support Arctic operations, maritime surveillance, search and rescue, and continental defence.

Donation of Vice Admiral Harry Sanders, USN(Retired), 1969. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Donation of Vice Admiral Harry Sanders, USN(Retired), 1969. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Catalog #: NH 67209

We are Ready at the Edge

Newfoundland and Labrador leaders focused on defence capability.

Ready at the Edge is a coalition of business leaders, operators, engineers, and innovators from across Newfoundland and Labrador’s defence, marine, aerospace, and advanced technology sectors. Together, we represent the full, integrated capability that exists in this province.

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Aligning our collective capability with national defence priorities to increase Newfoundland and Labrador’s share of Federal defence contracts.

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Demonstrate Newfoundland and Labrador’s operational infrastructure and defence industrial scale and capability.

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Act in a non-partisan way to support informed federal decision-making for the benefit of Canada, right now.

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Ready at the Edge –
just as we’ve always been

At the Eastern edge of North America, our location is Canada’s superpower.

In a changing world, location matters. Here, at the edge of the continent, Newfoundland and Labrador is the gateway between North America, Europe, and the Arctic. This is where trade routes, global alliances, and new possibilities take shape.

Newfoundland and Labrador places Canada closer to its partners, anchors our presence in the North Atlantic, and strengthens our role in a region rapidly growing in global importance.

As a springboard for northern defence operations, we operate at the edge and see what’s coming next. In the face of uncertainty, we bring hard-earned skills, deep experience, and a resilience shaped firmly by this place.

So, as we stare down new challenges, unknown as a nation, this moment calls for Newfoundland and Labrador – ready at the edge, just as we’ve always been

Join Ready at the Edge →