Full Breakdown
Halifax Hosts Record-Breaking DEFSEC Atlantic Conference Amid Protests
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Record-Breaking Attendance and Economic Impact
DEFSEC Atlantic 2026 convened at the Halifax Convention Centre for a three-day showcase of defence and aerospace firms. More than 3,000 participants attended, making it the largest gathering of its kind in Canada to date. Provincial officials note that the sector supports roughly 17,000 jobs and contributes about $2.7 billion to Nova Scotia’s gross domestic product. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced $3 billion in new infrastructure and defence spending for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, including over $2 billion earmarked for modernising facilities, training and new warship and aircraft projects.
Government Support and Strategic Rationale
Nova Scotia’s Minister of Growth, Development, and Defence Industries, Colton LeBlanc, emphasized the province’s existing military infrastructure and Atlantic access as assets for companies seeking a foothold. Sheldon Gillis, managing defence director for Invest Nova Scotia, highlighted growing global interest in the province’s defence ecosystem.
Industry Perspective
Representatives of local firms expressed optimism about networking opportunities. Nicholas Barrett, an engineer with Dartmouth-based start-up Omnitech Electronics, said attendees were eager to meet potential collaborators and customers walking the exhibition floor.
Protesters’ Opposition
A coalition of anti-war activists staged demonstrations outside the venue, characterising the event as an “arms expo” that profits from conflict. Minister LeBlanc acknowledged the protests, stating he respects the voices while maintaining focus on the conference’s objectives.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There’s an increased interest from companies around the world about what’s happening here in Nova Scotia,” — Sheldon Gillis, Invest Nova Scotia’s managing defence director
- “The federal government is reinvesting to modernize and rebuild our Canadian Armed Forces and Nova Scotia is very well positioned to reap some of those benefits,” — Colton LeBlanc, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Growth, Development, and Defence Industries
- “We’re so happy to just kind of meet people as they walk by, whether they be potential folks that we can collaborate with, customers, what not,” — Nicholas Barrett, an engineer with the company
- “The reason we oppose it is because the arms industries is creating havoc and destruction around the world and has been increasing in the amount of resources that it takes up year after year, with the last two years increasingly having been the best years for the arms industry,” — Asaf Rashid