Minister Sean Fraser to Join MPs to Unveil Regional Defence Initiative Boosting Local Aerospace Businesses in St Johns

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, who also oversees the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is set to visit St. John’s on March 18 and 19, 2026.

His visit will feature meetings with local business leaders, public events, and a major announcement under the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) at PAL Aerospace.

Fraser’s itinerary emphasizes economic growth, defence investment, and community engagement, highlighting the government’s focus on strengthening regional businesses and defence partnerships.

March 18: Business Visit and Sports Engagement

On the afternoon of March 18, Minister Fraser will tour Solace Power, a local clean energy company.

He will meet with CEO Neil Chaulk and COO/CFO Colin Ryan to discuss business operations and innovation in renewable energy.

This visit is private and closed to the media.

Later in the day, Fraser will attend the Mel Woodward Cup at Emera Innovation Exchange, delivering remarks to celebrate the event and connect with the local community.

This portion of his schedule is open to the media.

Event Details:

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• Time: 4:30 p.m. NL time
• Location: Emera Innovation Exchange, 100 Signal Hill Road, St. John’s, NL, A1A 1B3

March 19: Defence Investment Announcement at PAL Aerospace

The second day of Fraser’s visit is centered on defence innovation and funding for local businesses.

At 10:00 a.m., he will tour PAL Aerospace, meeting with CEO Calvin Ash, President Simon Carroll, and Jake Trainor, President of Exchange Income Corporation.

This meeting is private and closed to media coverage.

At 11:00 a.m., Fraser will be joined by Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries and MP for St. John’s East, and Tom Osborne, MP for Cape Spear, for the announcement of RDII funding.

This initiative will provide financial support to five local businesses, strengthening their capacity to contribute to Canada’s regional defence sector.

The announcement will be livestreamed on ACOA’s official YouTube channel.

Event Details:

• Time: 11:00 a.m. NL time
• Location: PAL Aerospace, Hangar 6, RCAF Road, St. John’s, NL, A1A 5B5
• Media RSVP: paul.mcgrath@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Impact and Consequences

The RDII funding aims to boost the defence capabilities of local businesses while promoting economic growth in Atlantic Canada.

These investments are expected to create new jobs, foster innovation in aerospace technologies, and strengthen the region’s role in national defence projects.

For the local business community, the initiative signals government support for scaling operations and enhancing competitiveness on both a national and international level.

What’s Next?

Following the announcement, participating businesses will begin implementing RDII-funded projects, with ongoing government oversight to ensure the objectives of growth, innovation, and job creation are met.

Minister Fraser’s visit also sets the stage for future collaborations between ACOA, local industry leaders, and defence contractors in St. John’s.

Summary

Minister Sean Fraser’s St. John’s visit combines business engagement, community interaction, and strategic investment in defence innovation.

Over two days, Fraser will meet with local leaders, tour major facilities, and announce critical funding for regional businesses, reinforcing Canada’s commitment to both economic growth and national security.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Minister Sean Fraser will visit St. John’s on March 18–19 for business and defence engagements.
• Fraser tours Solace Power and meets with its leadership to discuss innovation (closed to media).
• Fraser attends the Mel Woodward Cup at Emera Innovation Exchange and delivers remarks (open to media).
• Minister Fraser and fellow MPs announce RDII funding for five local businesses at PAL Aerospace.
• RDII funding is designed to strengthen regional defence capabilities and local business growth.
• The announcement will be livestreamed on ACOA’s YouTube channel for public access.