Defence, Security and Resilience Bank HQ

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I don't see Vancouver getting picked as it is further from Europe. Montreal's chances are hurt by threats of separation and laws that virtually outlaw any language that isn't French.

I believe Toronto might be ahead of the competition due to its status as a World City and the financial capital of Canada however, Ottawa's status as the capital, home of Canada's National Defense, it's proximity to the defense and tech sectors, and home to all foreign embassies in Canada, gives it significant clout. The major downfall is the lack of international flights, but that can easily be fixed.

Here are some of the arguments in favour of Ottawa.

https://nationalnewswatch.com/2026/04/30...das-defence-security-and-resilience-bank

https://www.ottawabot.ca/article/ottawa-...he-defence-security-and-resilience-bank/

[GeoNerd]

The Ottawa slander on here by some (one) user is beyond ridiculous and not worth responding to. Seems more like self-projection than actual arguments. In my view and many others, Ottawa is the perfect choice for host city.

In terms of international YOW flights. The common procurement agents wouldn’t be the ones globetrotting between Ottawa, Berlin, and The Hague, for meetings. The vast majority would be high level officials. Last time I checked, bank execs, high ranking military officials, and major defence contractor reps, do not fly commercial. So YOW would probably be more accessible and accommodating for those flights.

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by GeoNerd

In terms of international YOW flights. The common procurement agents wouldn’t be the ones globetrotting between Ottawa, Berlin, and The Hague, for meetings. The vast majority would be high level officials. Last time I checked, bank execs, high ranking military officials, and major defence contractor reps, do not fly commercial.

LOL. This would be news to the BGEN I work for.

You actually think that if execs are attending a conference in Colorado or visiting a shipyard in Vancouver, they fly on a private jet?

Hilarious to have a completely out of touch opinion and then accuse others of posting slander and being ridiculous.

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I don't see Vancouver getting picked as it is further from Europe.

I agree. However, Vancouver's pitch is that they are closer to Japan and SK and Aus who are also onboard with this bank. It's not just a NATO thing.

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Montreal's chances are hurt by threats of separation and laws that virtually outlaw any language that isn't French.

You should look up the second official language of NATO. And separatism didn't stop NATO from accepting the Centre of Excellence for Climate Security being placed in Montreal.

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I believe Toronto might be ahead of the competition due to its status as a World City and the financial capital of Canada however, Ottawa's status as the capital, home of Canada's National Defense, it's proximity to the defense and tech sectors, and home to all foreign embassies in Canada, gives it significant clout.

Toronto's advantages are more than finance here. Literally the two biggest factories contributing to Ukraine are within driving distance. GDLS in London. Roshel in Mississauga. There's other major OEMs. Bombardier at Pearson. Pratt in Mississauga. Wescam in Hamilton. Academia like Perimeter Institute in Waterloo.

A lot of Ottawa "defence companies" are mostly sales offices servicing DND. There's some engineering subcontractors. But even say major work like systems engineering for the new destroyers (largest defence contract in Canada to date) is done in Montreal. The actual plants aren't here.

What Ottawa does have is a decent agglomeration of federal labs and test facilities. And even this is increasingly sketch. See closure of the CSA David Florida lab. It's unfortunate that Ottawa didn't fight harder (or really at all) for NATO DIANA to be in Ottawa. Would have been a great fit for us. And had lots of DND support.

Ottawa can get picked if politics prevails. Heck, Rick Hillier is on the board and is probably pulling for Ottawa. But if it's based on raw connectivity and relevant accessibility, Ottawa is a poor choice.

Originally Posted by J.OT13

The major downfall is the lack of international flights, but that can easily be fixed.

Really curious why you think this. YOW hasn't had more than 2-3 regular year round connections to Europe for maybe decades? A few thousand more public servants isn't enough demand to change that.

[GeoNerd]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

LOL. This would be news to the BGEN I work for.

You actually think that if execs are attending a conference in Colorado or visiting a shipyard in Vancouver, they fly on a private jet?

Hilarious to have a completely out of touch opinion and then accuse others of posting slander and being ridiculous.

LOL. Amazing, didn’t realize we were in the presence of an admin staff for the lowest level general rank. I think this is a bit above your pay grade, but go ahead and spout off like an expert. It’s entertaining for the rest of us.

Nobody said anything about lower ranking officers visiting shipyards in Vancouver. That’s a red herring. If you think an Admiral or a VP from General Dynamics is flying to Marlborough Lines or Hexagon Balard on an Air Transat economy flight you’re terribly mistaken.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

Really curious why you think this. YOW hasn't had more than 2-3 regular year round connections to Europe for maybe decades? A few thousand more public servants isn't enough demand to change that.

We had more just before the pandemic like Frankfurt. We've been rebuilding some International flights a bit over the last couple years, but there's still work to do. The new ALT hotel will contribute to making YOW more attractive for those International flights.

Demand today isn't zero and this defense bank could tip the scales for more expansion.

I'm certainly not saying Ottawa is a shoe-in, but it has a lot going for it.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

You should look up the second official language of NATO. And separatism didn't stop NATO from accepting the Centre of Excellence for Climate Security being placed in Montreal.

Also, provincial language laws aren't going to have any bearing on an international organization. Montreal has a good chance - it has a very good mix of the financial, defence construction and tech industries that are relevant to this entity. And as a large metropolitan area, it's labour pool is deep.

[Kitchissippi]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

It's not just the execs. It's the support staff. It's their families.

Well, Ottawa is arguably more family friendly than any of the other candidate cities. Housing is also relatively cheaper and closer to potential workplaces. I've had many European visitors who weren't terribly impressed by Toronto and Montreal beyond their tourist attractions but were very envious of the quality of life in Ottawa with regards to calmness and access to nature, and would prefer raising a family in such a place.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Well, Ottawa is arguably more family friendly than any of the other candidate cities. Housing is also relatively cheaper and closer to potential workplaces. I've had many European visitors who weren't terribly impressed by Toronto and Montreal beyond their tourist attractions but were very envious at the quality of life in Ottawa with regards to calmness and access to nature, and would prefer raising a family in such a place.

Ottawa is a plum posting for foreign diplomats, so there is that which helps.

[YOWflier]

Lots of propaganda being delivered by our board’s prominent Ottawa hater. “Mostly sales” LOL.

Let’s put some facts out:

Ottawa/Gatineau is the metropolitan area in Canada with the highest concentration of defence companies when considering the full spectrum: headquarters (especially Canadian HQs or major operations), R&D/innovation, systems integration, project/program management, government relations, and a growing share of technical work.

This is a genuine defence cluster with 330+ companies employing 10,000+ professionals, anchored by Fortune 500 players and supported by 65+ federal research labs and test facilities like Area X.O.

Virtually major defense players have a presence here beyond “sales” and many with deep operational footprints:

- General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada: One of Canada’s largest defence firms, headquartered in Ottawa with significant technology development, integration, and production for land, airborne, and maritime applications.

- Lockheed Martin Canada: Headquartered in Ottawa, involved in systems, products, and sustainment. Local manufacturing.

- Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions: 100,000 sq ft manufacturing facility for high-performance modules and long-lifecycle support.

- DEW Engineering: Full-service design, engineering, and manufacturing of equipment for Canadian forces (“concept to combat”).

- Thales Systems, Leonardo DRS, MDA, RTX, Collins Aerospace, Rheinmetall Canada, Calian, ADGA, Dominion Dynamics, SEA Canada (new manufacturing facility opened in Ottawa), Med-Eng, and various SMEs in cybersecurity, drones, AI, and tactical systems perform R&D, prototyping, testing, and production.

To say that Ottawa’s defence cluster is “mostly sales” is objectively false and reeks of an agenda by someone who I envisioned was smart enough to know better.

There is no better place to base this defence bank when you put all variables on a balance and if you want proximity to defence leadership and decision-makers.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

The Pentagon has a subway stop in its parking lot. And tons of people commute to it by subway.

Even closer than that - it's less than 200 feet from the exterior wall of the Pentagon and connected underground.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Originally Posted by YOWflier

There is no better place to base this defence bank when you put all variables on a balance and if you want proximity to defence leadership and decision-makers.

It is interesting that CANSEC has been held annually in Ottawa since 1998 by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI). CANSEC has always been a great success, and CANSEC 2026 will once again showcase leading-edge technologies, products and services for land-based, naval, aerospace and joint forces military units. CANSEC is also a one-stop shop for first responders, police, border and security entities and special operations units.

Why always in Ottawa? Because as YOWflier said , Ottawa is where the defence (and the RCMP, CSIS,Five Eyes, and Border Services) leadership and decision makers are.

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by YOWflier

Lots of propaganda

What do you call this?

Originally Posted by YOWflier

Ottawa/Gatineau is the metropolitan area in Canada with the highest concentration of defence companies when considering the full spectrum: headquarters (especially Canadian HQs or major operations), R&D/innovation, systems integration, project/program management, government relations, and a growing share of technical work.

This is a genuine defence cluster with 330+ companies employing 10,000+ professionals, anchored by Fortune 500 players and supported by 65+ federal research labs and test facilities like Area X.O.

Virtually major defense players have a presence here beyond “sales” and many with deep operational footprints:

- General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada: One of Canada’s largest defence firms, headquartered in Ottawa with significant technology development, integration, and production for land, airborne, and maritime applications.

- Lockheed Martin Canada: Headquartered in Ottawa, involved in systems, products, and sustainment. Local manufacturing.

- Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions: 100,000 sq ft manufacturing facility for high-performance modules and long-lifecycle support.

- DEW Engineering: Full-service design, engineering, and manufacturing of equipment for Canadian forces (“concept to combat”).

- Thales Systems, Leonardo DRS, MDA, RTX, Collins Aerospace, Rheinmetall Canada, Calian, ADGA, Dominion Dynamics, SEA Canada (new manufacturing facility opened in Ottawa), Med-Eng, and various SMEs in cybersecurity, drones, AI, and tactical systems perform R&D, prototyping, testing, and production.

To say that Ottawa’s defence cluster is “mostly sales” is objectively false and reeks of an agenda by someone who I envisioned was smart enough to know better.

There is no better place to base this defence bank when you put all variables on a balance and if you want proximity to defence leadership and decision-makers.

Nice list of mostly HQs. I've dealt with several of them. Nice offices. That's not what the folks needing DSRB need to see though.....

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by GeoNerd

LOL. Amazing, didn’t realize we were in the presence of an admin staff for the lowest level general rank. I think this is a bit above your pay grade, but go ahead and spout off like an expert. It’s entertaining for the rest of us.

Nobody said anything about lower ranking officers visiting shipyards in Vancouver. That’s a red herring. If you think an Admiral or a VP from General Dynamics is flying to Marlborough Lines or Hexagon Balard on an Air Transat economy flight you’re terribly mistaken.

BGEN is low rank?

Keep going.

You can look up the TBS entitlements for travel. I assure you the BGEN's boss isn't flying private much either. Nor are their EX equivalents.

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by LeadingEdgeBoomer

It is interesting that CANSEC has been held annually in Ottawa since 1998 by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI). CANSEC has always been a great success, and CANSEC 2026 will once again showcase leading-edge technologies, products and services for land-based, naval, aerospace and joint forces military units. CANSEC is also a one-stop shop for first responders, police, border and security entities and special operations units.

Why always in Ottawa? Because as YOWflier said , Ottawa is where the defence (and the RCMP, CSIS,Five Eyes, and Border Services) leadership and decision makers are.

If the bank's job was to sell to us, you'd be right. That's not their job though. Their job is to invest (and not just in Canada) in a manner that enables industry to provide capabilities that NATO members need. This is everything from critical minerals to raw materials to AI. How that is best done by dealing with bureaucrats in Ottawa is beyond me. Heck, they didn't even do the negotiations and sign the founding charter for the bank in Ottawa. They did it in Montreal.

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

Even closer than that - it's less than 200 feet from the exterior wall of the Pentagon and connected underground.

I think of that every time I pass Moodie and when I have taken the bus into Carling.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by GeoNerd

Nobody said anything about lower ranking officers visiting shipyards in Vancouver. That’s a red herring. If you think an Admiral or a VP from General Dynamics is flying to Marlborough Lines or Hexagon Balard on an Air Transat economy flight you’re terribly mistaken.

I can guarantee you literally nobody including the head will be flying private to Europe. That is rare even for Ministers in most NATO countries. In fact more Prime Ministers from NATO countries fly commerical than would have private planes. Sure higher ranking US generals have long range private jets and UK France have access for some travel but this is zero risk travel so they'll be flying commerical business class at best.Many in economy including weirdly the US if flying commerical.

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

I can guarantee you literally nobody including the head will be flying private to Europe. That is rare even for Ministers in most NATO countries. In fact more Prime Ministers from NATO countries fly commerical than would have private planes. Sure higher ranking US generals have long range private jets and UK France have access for some travel but this is zero risk travel so they'll be flying commerical business class at best.Many in economy including weirdly the US if flying commerical.

We have VVIP Transport Squadron (412 Sqn) at the Ottawa airport. And from time to time a general might use that. But the use case for that is governed very strictly, based on cost effectiveness (number of people travelling) and/or operational reasons (somebody needs to be somewhere in an urgent situation). Simply routine travel is like anybody else. The only time I have seen a General have a non-ceremonial motorcade was when the Commander of the US Space Force came to visit the Space Wing at Coventry last year.

And the Europeans have even worse travel entitlements than us. Mostly because of distances there. The idea that all these guys will be flying private while apparently low ranking BGENs fly commercial is so laughable.

But hey. Apparently I am a low level admin worker so what do I know.....

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

What do you call this?

Facts.

[YOWflier]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

What do you call this?

Facts.