Barrie is emerging as a hub for the defence and security sector for Central Ontario, strategically positioned to support Canada’s growing defence, dual-use, aerospace, and security industries.
Defence Investment Readiness Programs
Barrie is ready to support Federal and Provincial efforts to attract new opportunities in the defence, security, and advanced manufacturing sectors, to help boost Canada's military capabilities. Explore programs in Barrie's Employment Development Community Improvement Plan that position Barrie as a leader in defence investment readiness.
Your Partner for Growth in Defence and Security
Invest Barrie supports defence, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing companies at every stage of their growth journey by providing:
- Dedicated site selection and investment support, including access to zoning, planning, development, permitting, and municipal approval information.
- Strategic connections to industry, academia, government, and innovation partners to accelerate business growth, advance commercialization, access new markets, and identify qualified supply chain partners that help satisfy industrial participation and offset commitments.
- Access to Central Ontario's defence and advanced manufacturing ecosystem, including research capabilities, talent pipelines, market intelligence, economic data, and business insights.
- Supply chain and business development support through industry delegations, trade missions, defence-focused events, and matchmaking opportunities with Canadian and international partners.
- Access to municipal assets and infrastructure that support technology demonstration, validation, testing, and integration initiatives.
- Concierge-style investment servicing, providing a dedicated point of contact to help navigate local resources, partnerships, and expansion opportunities.
Let’s start the conversation. Connect with Invest Barrie to discuss how your business can grow here.
Meet Barrie's Defence Sector
Investment Ready
Defence programs require reliable suppliers, secure environments, agile innovation, and efficient logistics. Barrie brings these elements together in one connected ecosystem. Situated between the Greater Toronto Area and Northern Ontario, home to a growing advanced manufacturing base, serviced employment land, and with strong access to North American markets, Barrie is built for readiness, resilience and rapid scale.
- Canadian military proximity with Canada’s largest military training base and the historic birthplace of the Royal Canadian Air Force
- Strategic aerospace access via the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport
- Secure innovation and applied R&D through local test centers and labs
- Investment-ready lands, streamlined approvals, and supply chain depth
- Integrated logistics and redundant infrastructure
- Dedicated investment support, including a concierge program to streamline approvals and a community improvement plan offering targeted incentive programs
- Strong post-secondary talent pipeline through Lakehead University Barrie STEM Hub and Georgian College as a military-connected college.
- Barrie was ranked the #2 Canadian growth city of 2025, according to U-Haul's Growth Index data
- Two fibre‑optic lines connecting directly to Canada’s primary data interconnection hub in Toronto
Defence-Ready Manufacturing Strength
Advanced Robotics + Automation
Precision Aerospace + Military Machining
Flight Navigation + Sensory Systems
Heavy Equipment + Steel Fabrication
Military Grade Protective Materials
Military Connection
Barrie values its strong connection to Canada’s military community, past and present. With a long history alongside Canadian Forces Base Borden, the City is home to many service members and is well positioned to grow as a hub for defence industry manufacturing.
Robust Supply Chain
Being situated close to Base Borden, the largest training establishment in the Canadian Armed Forces, Barrie offers a robust pipeline of skilled labour, and access and partners for applied research and testing opportunities through the Regional Technology Development Site. The City has a robust supply chain ecosystem, bringing together academic institutions, strategic partners, and technology and manufacturing companies to collaborate with government agencies—enabling the rapid, scalable transition of emerging technologies critical to the sector.
Prime Development Opportunities
With more than 200 advanced manufacturing firms, direct connectivity to Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, and two post-secondary anchors, Barrie provides prime development opportunities for aerospace innovation, maintenance, repair and operations, advanced production, and dual-use technologies. By fostering these strategic connections, Barrie ensures the right technology reaches the right hands at the right time, driving adoption, enhancing capability, and directly strengthening the Canadian defence and security landscape. Coupled with top-tier talent, advanced infrastructure, and a growth-ready environment, it’s clear that business is better in Barrie.
Quick Facts
Regional Defence-Ready Innovation Ecosystem
Key Industry Players
Accurate Glass
AG NAV
Albarrie
Aventech Research Inc.
Brotech Precisions CNC
Innovative Automation
Linear
Raptor
Resonance Ltd.
Stainless Outfitters Inc.
Stark Group LTD.
Weldco-Beales Manufacturing
Key Resources
Canada’s defence and dual‑use ecosystem is supported by a network of federal departments, procurement authorities, innovation programs, and export enablers designed to help companies scale, commercialize, and compete globally. From operational requirements and contracting pathways to R&D funding, security clearances, and export support, understanding how these players fit together is critical to success in the defence market. Explore these resources to access key federal agencies, programs, policies, and funding tools that support defence‑ready businesses at every stage of growth.