On October 2, the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, accompanied by the Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada, with NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) Managing Director, Professor Deeph Chana, officially opened the NATO DIANA North American regional office in Halifax.
Minister Fraser also officially announced the appointment of Major-General Paul Peyton as the Military Deputy Director for North America for NATO DIANA. Major-General Peyton brings to this new position more than 35 years’ experience in leadership roles – most recently as Chief of Force Development with the Canadian Armed Forces.
NATO DIANA was created to help develop dual-use technologies that address challenges affecting security and defense. It brings together the best and brightest innovators from key sectors across the Alliance to help NATO maintain its technological edge, defend its one billion citizens, and preserve peace and security. Canada is supporting the opening and operating of this office with an initial investment of $26.6 million dollars over six years.
Through NATO DIANA, innovators can access Alliance-wide resources including grant funding, commercial advice, and other acceleration services to adapt their solutions for defense and security needs.
The Halifax Regional Municipality provides an excellent backdrop to support DIANA moving forward. With a thriving innovation ecosystem – sustaining more than 300 entrepreneurial science and technology start-ups – it is also home to several major universities and research centers as well as Canada’s Atlantic naval fleet.