Defence Infrastructure: As Canada looks to modernize its NORAD capabilities and prepares for the delivery of new platforms such as CF-35 Fighter Jets and River-class Destroyers, the country must first update and build upon its current infrastructure. CDR asked Ottawa Bureau Chief, James Careless, to speak with DND and major contractors to get an update on current and future defence infrastructure projects from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Here is our report.
The Department of National Defence (DND) administers the largest real property portfolio in the entire Government of Canada. This portfolio stretches from coast to coast to coast, occupying approximately 10 million square metres of floor space, across 21,000 buildings (including more than 12,000 residential units), 2.2 million hectares of land, and 13,500 works including roads, water, storm and sewer pipes, airfields, jetties, ranges and training areas. The portfolio has a total replacement cost of approximately $28 billion with an approximate annual budget of $2 billion.
These jaw-dropping figures come from Peter Hammerschmidt, DND’s Assistant Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Environment (ADM(IE)). “In addition to maintaining our current infrastructure in my role as ADM(IE), I am the custodian of the DND/CAF real property portfolio, currently overseeing approximately 125 active major capital infrastructure projects worth over $45 billion,” Hammerschmidt told CDR. His insights, plus those of many major contractors serving this sector, are at the heart of CDR’s inaugural Defence Infrastructure Report.
CURRENT DEFENCE
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
To understand the Canadian defence infrastructure sector and its major projects, we need to start with a big picture view of it. No one is better suited to paint this picture than Peter Hammerschmidt.
“As the Government announced in the defence policy update in April 2024, Our North, Strong, and Free, we are investing $10.2 billion over 20 years in current and new infrastructure to support the required tempo of training, operations, and day-to-day military activities,” he told CDR. “These investments will count new construction, asset maintenance and repair, as well as other improvements to military facilities, such as piers and runways.”
Here’s a snapshot view of the largest infrastructure projects now underway:
NORAD Modernization: According to Hammerschmidt, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Modernization is the largest Canadian investment in NORAD capabilities in a generation, amounting to $38.6 billion being spent over 20 years. “Major infrastructure initiatives in the North under NORAD modernization are largely focused on upgrades or new construction at three Forward Operating Locations, and one Deployed Operating Base used by NORAD in Canada’s North: Inuvik, Yellowknife and Iqaluit, and 5 Wing Goose Bay,” he said. “From an infrastructure perspective, key investments with an Arctic and continental defence nexus include the $218 million funding over 20 years for Northern Operational Support Hubs (NOSH) to increase the CAF’s responsiveness to challenges in remote Northern [areas]. These hubs will better ensure Canadian sovereignty by establishing a greater year-round presence across the Arctic and the North, and investing in multi-use infrastructure that also meets the needs of the territories, Indigenous peoples, and Northern communities.”
Hammerschmidt expects some of these NORAD projects to reach Initial Operational Capability by late 2020s. The most complex projects should reach Initial Operational Capability by mid 2030s.
Meanwhile, Canada’s new fleet of 88 advanced CF-35A jet fighters is driving construction of new squadron facilities at Canada’s two main fighter operating bases: 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta and 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec. “In September 2020, a $12.1 million contract was awarded for the design of a new fighter squadron facility at 3 Wing Bagotville. Design work is underway and construction of the facility is expected to begin in 2025,” said Hammerschmidt. “A similar $9.2 million contract was awarded in Edmonton, in August 2020, for the design of a new facility for the Cold Lake Wing Fighter Squadron at 4 Wing. Design work is progressing, and construction of the facility is also expected to start in 2025.”
READ: Arcfield Canada – CF-35s – COVER STORY
A further $6.7 billion has been budgeted for ‘Defence of Canada Fighter Infrastructure’ (DCFI) to modernize, recapitalize and add new critical infrastructure (including Information Management/Information Technology). Given that funding for the CF-35As “was never meant to modernize all Canadian domestic legacy fighter infrastructure across Canada, DCFI will deliver infrastructure elements that were beyond the scope of the fighter acquisition project, including supporting NORAD requirements,” he said.
As well, as part of Canada’s commitment to NORAD Modernization, DND is building a modern, functional and sustainable Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) facility at 3 Wing Bagotville. This $120 million facility will allow the RCAF members to maintain CF-35A fighter jets in a flight-ready state in support of NORAD operations. Due to be finished in 2027, the new 7,400 square metre facility will include aircraft hangar bays, office space and sleeping quarters for personnel, plus a 17,000 square metre secure fenced compound surrounding the facility.
Also on the list: Because DND is acquiring nine CC-330 Husky (four new and five used aircraft) to replace the CC-150 Polaris under the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) project, “we will be upgrading and adding additional infrastructure at Main Operating Base – East, 8 Wing Trenton,” said Hammerschmidt. DND is currently negotiating a lease with the Edmonton International Airport, so that it can serve as the CC-330s’ Main Operating Base in Western Canada. “STTC will also have one Forward Operating Location that will be chosen in the coming months,” he said.
Housing is another DND infrastructure priority. Over the next five years, the Department will spend about $147 million on temporary military lodging (aka military accommodations) construction projects. “These projects will look at improving accommodations on bases and wings across Canada,” Hammerschmidt told CDR. “The projects will be prioritized based on several factors including health and safety, compliance, and responding to immediate operational requirements.”
Add in up-to-$230 million being spent by 2028 to modernize and extend the Inuvik airport runway for RCAF and NORAD operations; $188 million for two Combatant Training and Integration Centres being built at CFB Esquimalt and CFB Halifax to support the RCN’s 15 new River-class Destroyer ships, plus infrastructure to service and support these ships throughout their lifecycle; a $1.1 billion A&B Jetty recapitalization project to replace WWII era jetties at CFB Esquimalt; a new $341 million Defence Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy research centre at CFB Valcartier; the $160 million rehabilitation of Halifax’s historic North Park Armoury; and the new $127 million Air Force Expeditionary Capability (AFEC) Main Facility at CFB Bagotville — and Peter Hammerschmidt and his DND staff have a lot on their plates!
Given the multi-billion dollar value of DND’s defence infrastructure and related products, it is no surprise that many of Canada’s major contractors are involved in serving this sector. Here’s a look at some of them.
READ: Irving Shipbuilding Awarded $8 Billion Initial Contract To Build 3 River-Class Destroyers for RCN
ATKINSRÉALIS
Formerly known as SNC-Lavalin, AtkinsRéalis is an engineering services and nuclear company of 40,000 employees. It is headquartered in Montreal and operates across Canada, the U.S., and the world.
At present, AtkinsRéalis is working on infrastructure projects for all three branches of the Canadian Armed Forces. For instance, “we are involved in the modernization of key naval bases to enhance operational readiness and support for the Royal Canadian Navy,” said Patrick Aubin, AtkinsRéalis’ Market Lead, Buildings & Places, Canada. “This includes upgrading dockyard facilities, ship maintenance infrastructure and management, training facilities and operational logistics hubs to accommodate the current and future fleet, including the Minor Warship and Auxiliary Vessels (MWAV) and the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS).” AtkinsRéalis has also developed specialized infrastructure to support the maintenance and operations of Canada’s Victoria-class submarine fleet, including enhanced dry dock capabilities, secure storage, and high-tech repair facilities.
With respect to the Canadian Army’s Light Armoured Vehicle III Upgrade, “we are designing and refurbishing specialized maintenance facilities,” Aubin said. “AtkinsRéalis [has] designed eight facilities across the country that provided facilities to store/shelter the LAV IIIs, and workplaces to cater for crew training, simulation training, maintenance, and lifecycle retrofits.” This company is also collaborating on addressing the infrastructure requirements for Canada’s Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV) project at CFB Valcartier.
READ: AtkinsRéalis to Manage San Francisco Airport’s Airfield Improvement Program
For the RCAF, AtkinsRéalis is “engineering next-generation hangar facilities to house and maintain the Royal Canadian Air Force’s modern fleet, including the future CF-35A jets, in support of the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP),” Aubin told CDR. “Our hangar development and modernization projects cover training and simulator facilities that support the CC-130 Hercules, CC-177 Globemaster, CH-147F Chinook, Remotely Piloted Aircraft System project and the Cormorant Mid-Life Upgrade.” As well, “Over a decade ago, the Government of Canada procured 17 tactical transport aircraft and five CC-177 Globemaster III aircraft to replace the legacy E-model Hercules,” he said. “We led the architectural and engineering for the new maintenance hangars at CFB Trenton.” AtkinsRéalis is also contributing to the design and construction of the operations’ Ground Control Centre at CAF Uplands for RCAF’s new fleet of MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones.
ATCO Frontec specializes in supporting defence and security operations, disaster response and serving remote workforces. Its DND accomplishments include operating and maintaining the North Warning System (radar) in northern Canada, as well as past projects such as managing the facility operations, maintenance, and renovations at the NATO Flying Training in Canada centre in Moose Jaw; and facility maintenance, repair, and renovations for 48 DND sites located in Ontario. Currently they provide maintenance, repair, and renovations at the five CAF Forward Operating Locations across Canada’s North and 15 sites in Alberta.
“We provide DND, the USAF, and NATO with operational and in-service support solutions from deploying military camps to operating and maintaining defence infrastructure, including radar systems,” said ATCO Frontec President Jim Landon. “ATCO Frontec has long excelled in maintaining defence infrastructure, sometimes in some of the harshest climates/environments. We have maintained buildings/bases, airfields, fuel infrastructure, and technologies, including radar infrastructure in the North.”
ATCO Frontec has a number of new DND infrastructure projects that it wants to take part in. NORAD Modernization is a top item on their list; specifically over-the-horizon radar, Northern Operations Support Hubs (NOSH), NORAD Northern Basing, and Operational Training Infrastructure Enterprise Modernization (OTIEM). The company is also seeking “projects where ATCO Frontec can be a partner in providing support in the Arctic, such as Domestic Arctic Mobility Enhancement (DAME), and facility maintenance contracts with Defence Construction Canada (DCC),” Landon said.
Beyond having decades of experience operating in the Arctic, ATCO Frontec has strong Indigenous/Inuit partnerships across Canada, which supports the federal government’s mandate for Indigenous procurement. “We have partnerships with Canadian companies to build and operate radar systems, providing made-in-Canada solutions for government and defence projects,” said Landon. “Canada can spend money on infrastructure now – which will assist in meeting the NATO 2% spending target. But when it comes to infrastructure in the North, the planning/build must be coordinated with the Inuit.”
READ: EXECUTIVE VIEWPOINT – Jim Landon, ATCO Frontec
Founded in 1951 by Don and David Ellis Smith, EllisDon has been partnering with the CAF and DND to deliver over $5.5 billion in defence infrastructure since 2010. “Working alongside Defence Construction Canada, and Public Services and Procurement Canada, we have delivered infrastructure for fleet maintenance, personnel training and education, healthcare, administration, and operational support for the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Chris Lane, EllisDon’s Senior Vice President and Edmonton Area Manager.
EllisDon’s commitment to defence infrastructure continues today, with ongoing design and construction activities across the country. “For the Royal Canadian Air Force, we are designing the training, maintenance and support infrastructure for the Future Fighter Capability Project at both CFB Cold Lake and CFB Bagotville,” Lane said. “In addition, our teams are designing infrastructure solutions to train the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force pilots through the Future Aircrew Training Program at CFB Moose Jaw, CFB Winnipeg, and the Southport Aerospace Centre.”
EllisDon is also collaborating with the Royal Canadian Navy in designing the Combatant Training and Integration Centre — Atlantic at CFB Halifax, and the Junior Non-Commissioned Members Training Accommodation Facility at CFB Esquimalt. In Ottawa, EllisDon is currently working at the Eastern Ontario Campus. Under the project, 89 buildings and temporary structures will be replaced with 23 new facilities with a combined total floor space of over 98,000 square metres, while seven existing buildings will be renovated.
Looking ahead, EllisDon is very excited about taking part in Canada’s NORAD Modernization plans. “We have a rich history in constructing projects in remote locations, including the Arctic,” said Lane. “EllisDon was the contractor for the Canadian High Arctic Research Station project and gained valuable experience building in extreme weather conditions and in a location with limited accessibility. Our vast construction experience on both the East and West coasts, particularly with naval defence projects, would also be an asset to the Government of Canada’s recently announced Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), and that is certainly a project that EllisDon would like to be a part of. Defence infrastructure is of utmost importance to EllisDon and we will continue to pursue major opportunities in this sector across Canada.”
PCL CONSTRUCTION
PCL Construction describes itself as being Canada’s – and one of North America’s – largest construction companies. Over the past 25 years, PCL has delivered a diverse portfolio of projects for the CAF, DND, and the federal government. They include the Syncrolift Upgrade and Submarine Shed project in CFB Halifax, the Maritime Helicopter Training Centre at CFB Shearwater, the Juno Tower Officers and C&PO’s Mess and Accommodations at CFB Halifax, the Communications Security Establishment Long Term Accommodations Project (new HQ and operational facilities) in Ottawa, and the Canadian Special Operations Regiment new regimental campus at CFB Petawawa, among others.
As for today? “At present, PCL is under contract to build, or in many cases to design and build facilities across Canada at more than ten Canadian Forces Bases for National Defence through Defence Construction Canada, in contracts ranging from $200,000 through to more than $500 million,” said David Hudock, PCL’s National Director, Defence and Federal Government Relations.
PCL is serving as the Design-Builder on a number of current DND projects. They include the Land Based Test Facility (LBTF) in Halifax in support of Canada’s River-class Destroyer program. “This facility will test and integrate the ships’ operational capability systems before being installed on the actual ships, then will help bring the new ships into service and support them throughout their lifecycle,” Hudock said. Also included are the Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) facilities at CFB Gagetown, the STTC Main Operating Base (East) at 8 Wing Trenton for the RCAF’s new fleet of CC-330 Husky aircraft, and the Multi-Purpose Building in Yellowknife, which will be the new headquarters for the 1st Canadian Rangers Patrol Group (1 CRPG) and elements of Joint Task Force North.
As a company, PCL is committed to learning from its Indigenous partners. “We seek to build long-term relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations through dialogue and engagement,” said Hudock. Meanwhile, “PCL’s approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has allowed us to create a strong foundation where DE&I is a part of our dynamic culture.”
READ: BAE Systems and Irving Shipbuilding sign contract for next phase of River-class destroyer programme
For over 25 years, Serco has supported the Canadian Armed Forces with comprehensive base support services at 5 Wing Goose Bay. Under often extreme conditions at the edge of the North Atlantic Coast, where temperatures can dip to -39° C and mountainous snowdrifts usually blow over the runways, Serco’s team keeps this strategic airfield up and running 365 days a year. Approximately 250 employees provide air traffic control, logistics support, snow and ice removal, facilities management, food service, emergency services, utilities management, and water treatment. Worth noting: Serco is the only private company in Canada that provides military air traffic control.
READ: Serco to Acquire Northrop Grumman’s Mission Training and Satellite Ground Network Software
“Within the 5 Wing Contract, we manage over 160 buildings, including military operational buildings, hangars, barracks, and mess halls,” said Terry Standing, Serco’s Director of Business Development Canada. Company personnel also patrol and maintain over 40 kilometers of fencing, provide 24/7 Emergency Services, keep the runway open 24/7/365 for military and civilian aircraft, and staff a Wing Operation Centre to support Canada’s NORAD mission and provide 24/7 Control Tower services and 16/6 IFR terminal services.
As well, Serco provides air traffic control, airfield electronic services and air information services (AIS) to support NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan – one of the busiest airfields in Canada, with hundreds of flight movements per day. Serco’s Airfield Electronics Services are supported by highly experienced Serco Canada technicians who are fully qualified/certified on all Air Traffic Management Systems (ATMs) and Navigational Aid (NAVAID) types of equipment such as runway lighting, arrestor gear equipment, and radar maintenance. Serco’s AIS services at Moose Jaw and Goose Bay include weather observation (production of aerodrome forecasts, aviation weather briefings, flight planning, and Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) services.
“We manage the coordination of aeronautical charts/publications, prior permission requests (PPRs), out-of-hours requests, unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings, noise complaints, and snow and ice control (SNIC) runway condition reports,” Standing said. “Serco Canada also ensures that the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is always operationally ready.”
Stantec specializes in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The company has a long history working with the CAF, DND, and DCC.
At present, Stantec is working on several projects for the CAF/DND. They include four maintenance and operations hangars for highly advanced manned and unmanned aircraft (Cold Lake, Bagotville, Trenton, and Greenwood), and two vehicle maintenance/storage facilities with administrative components (Gagetown and Petawawa). Stantec is also designing a training campus comprising four buildings for the CAF/DND (Trenton), a multipurpose facility (Yellowknife), a neurobehavioral research facility (CFB Suffield). It is also involved in the RCAF’s Future Aircrew Training program (multiple locations), a testing facility for the Royal Canadian Navy (Halifax), and the recapitalization and remediation project to replace old marine jetties (Esquimalt).
Collectively, Stantec’s services to the CAF/DND/DCC cover the full range of client needs. This is why they include architecture, building, structural, mechanical, electrical, ICT engineering, environmental services, geotechnical engineering, building sciences, sustainability, energy modelling, commissioning, fire protection, and civil, marine, transportation, and aviation infrastructure. As well, “Stantec has gained extensive experience over four decades of working with Indigenous communities by delivering programs that have provided positive and mutually beneficial outcomes,” said Elisa Brandts, Stantec’s Senior Principal, Regional Business Leader, Buildings (Canada West). “We have been building Indigenous Partnerships to combine our technical capabilities with local and traditional knowledge and experience to deliver quality services.”
Looking ahead, “we are currently positioning for the design of major DND infrastructure programs for the Airforce, Navy, and Armed Forces, including the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA) program, the Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV) Program, and in the long term the Canadian Patrol Submarine Program (CPSP),” said Rob Dumaresq, Stantec’s Regional Business Leader, Buildings. “Stantec’s experience as well as our cross-Canada presence makes us an ideal partner for CAF/DND/DCC. Our staff is located close to project sites to provide better response times, local condition knowledge, and client relationships as well as reduced travel costs.”
“Providing infrastructure which supports our military and helps protect our northern sovereign territory is becoming increasingly important to all Canadians,” Dumaresq added. “This infrastructure needs to be cost effective, durable, sustainable, and resilient while providing efficient, safe and comfortable and highly functional and adaptive places for our military to train, work and live.”
WSP
WSP is a global professional engineering services firm that provides engineering services for new construction, renovations, upgrades, and retrofits for the CAF/DND. The company’s list of current CAF/DND infrastructure projects include building upgrades at CFB Borden and CFB Comox, 3 Wing Bagotville facility upgrades, the A Jetty Recapitalization Program at CFB Esquimalt, and engineering design to support Modified Design Build teams constructing DND infrastructure at various locations in Canada.
“Our ability to understand the unique requirements of military infrastructure and deliver tailored, future-ready solutions has been instrumental in advancing the operational capabilities of the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Michael Jackson, WSP’s DND/DCC National Project Lead and Vice President. “Our multidisciplinary approach ensures that every facility — whether a tactical support center, health facility, or operational headquarters — exceeds expectations in quality, functionality, and resilience.”
To provide the best service to the CAF/DND, WSP relies on its ‘One WSP’ strategy, which leverages expertise across all of the company’s divisions to deliver integrated, future-ready solutions to its clients. These solutions cover property and buildings, environmental/natural resources/archaeological assessments, transportation infrastructure, energy systems, advanced HVAC systems, water supply/treatment systems and stormwater management, project management, structural and industrial engineering, digital/industrial technology, emergency/disaster management, and security/intelligence infrastructure.
As for the kinds of defence infrastructure projects covered by this company? WSP can build operational facilities, housing, secure/classified facilities, and maintenance/training facilities.
“At WSP, we take pride in our ability to support Canada’s defence infrastructure with innovative, integrated solutions,” said Francois Lemay, WSP’s Executive Vice President of Buildings and Property – Canada. “By combining deep expertise across disciplines with a commitment to excellence, we deliver projects that meet the unique challenges of military operations and help future-proof critical facilities for decades to come. Whether modernizing heritage facilities, enhancing operational readiness, or addressing security and climate resilience, our team of experts is dedicated to meeting the complex demands of military infrastructure with innovative, integrated solutions.”
James Careless is CDR’s Ottawa Bureau Chief
