Defence Minister Anita Anand speaks during a news conference on Aug. 4, 2022. Image: CPAC video capture

Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, announced today that Canada is proposing the Halifax Regional Municipality, to host the North American Regional Office of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, also known as DIANA.

DIANA is the new NATO body that will create a network of innovation sites in North America and Europe. The objective is to facilitate cooperation between military operators and the Alliances best and brightest start-ups, scientific researchers and technology companies to solve critical allied defence and security problems. Since Halifax is considered to have a thriving innovation ecosystem that sustains more that 300 entrepreneural science and technology startups and its home to many educational facilities and research centres and Canadas Naval fleet it would serve as an ideal place to serve DIANA.

“The offer of the Regional Municipality of Halifax as the host for NATOS Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic is a testament to our regions extraordinary growth trajectory and capacity to support institutions of global impact.” Says Nova Scotia MP Sean Fraser ” Halifax has a long-storied military tradition that has achieved rapid growth in innovation that positions it well to host NATO’s new North American Regional Office.”

At the NATO summit in June 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada’s intent to host the DIANA North American Regional Office in Canada and NATO welcomed Canada’s Offer. The country is now one step closer to delivering. The offer will be considered by the NATO DIANA board.