October 7, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(HALIFAX, NS) – Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) and the Department of National Defence (DND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establishing a framework for collaboration to strengthen Canada’s marine sensing capability ecosystem and advance ocean innovation in support of Canada’s national interests.
Canada’s ocean domain is strategically important to the country’s national defence, security, and sovereignty, including across the Arctic, all coastal regions, and offshore environments. The MoU recognizes the importance of collaboration between Canada’s network of ocean innovation companies and National Defence, particularly as advanced marine sensing technologies become increasingly important to marine domain awareness, operational effectiveness, and informed decision-making in an era defined by global volatility and technological disruption.
Through the MoU, OSC and DND will explore opportunities to collaborate on activities related to Canada’s marine sensing capability ecosystem such as:
- Strategic engagement, collaboration, and convening across Canada’s ocean and defence innovation communities;
- Increasing awareness and understanding of Canadian marine sensing capabilities and technologies;
- Exploring opportunities for pilots, testing and technology demonstration; and
- Supporting inclusive engagement with industry, research, Indigenous and other partners across Canada.
This partnership will strengthen Canada’s marine sensing capability ecosystem, supporting both ocean innovation and Canadian sovereign capability objectives.
As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC brings together more than 1,000 member organizations across the country to build industrial capacity in areas including Arctic and surveillance, blue food, marine decarbonization and ocean energy. The OSC also serves as Canada’s co-lead of the Global Blue Tech Cluster Alliance, connecting Canada’s ocean innovation ecosystem with leading blue technology cluster networks internationally.
To date, the OSC has accelerated the development and commercialization of nearly 170 made-in-Canada ocean innovation projects, representing a portfolio of close to $700 million in total project value. These projects are delivering more than 300 new, globally relevant products and services, including dual use solutions in marine domain awareness, uncrewed and autonomous systems, advanced sensors and hardware, data fusion and edge computing, digital twins, and systems integration.
The formalized working relationship between OSC and DND demonstrates the growing intersection between ocean innovation and national defence and security, where technologies developed for commercial ocean applications can also support a range of marine, Arctic and surveillance requirements.
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Media Contacts
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of more made-in-Canada ocean innovation while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. Every dollar invested in OSC projects generates more than five times its value in GDP contribution, with the following economic benefits to Canada as of March 2025:
- $1.7 billion in total economic output
- $1 billion in GDP contribution
- Nearly $748 million in total labour income
- Close to 10,000 jobs created
- $286 million in total tax revenues generated
Through Ambition 2035 and together with Canada’s ocean community, we are bold in our ambition to grow Canada’s ocean economy 5X to $220 billion by 2035. Continued investment in the accelerated development and commercialization of globally relevant, made-in-Canada ocean solutions will help us realize this ambition. Read more about recommendations to help achieve this transformational growth opportunity outlined in Charting the Course to 5X Growth in Canada’s Ocean Economy and the projected benefits to Canada here.
Quotes
“This agreement represents an important opportunity to connect Canada’s world-class ocean innovation ecosystem with national defence priorities. Canada has extraordinary expertise in marine sensing, autonomous systems, data and other ocean technologies. By bringing these capabilities together with the needs and priorities of national defence, we can help accelerate the development and adoption of made-in-Canada solutions while strengthening Canada’s sovereign capabilities and economic potential.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“Strong partnerships are the foundation of innovation that delivers real results for Canadians. This collaboration between National Defence and Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, one of Canada’s five global innovation clusters, reflects our commitment to supporting efficient and results-driven innovation. By working together, the OSC and DND will strengthen Canada’s marine sensing capabilities and help position Canadian companies at the forefront of emerging ocean technologies.” – The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Government of Canada