Press Release:
Yesterday, Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, on behalf of the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, announced the contract award for the new 21 Electronic Warfare Regiment (21 EW Regt) facility at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Kingston. MP Gerretsen also participated in a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction.
The design contract was awarded to Colbourne & Kembel Architects Inc. of Kingston, Ontario. During construction, the project will sustain approximately 150 jobs in the region.
The new $98 million 8,350 m2 facility will consolidate units across CFB Kingston into one secure compound, providing the necessary space to support operations and increase collaboration between regimental squadrons. The two-story multipurpose building will include new classrooms and administrative spaces that will allow the regiment to more effectively train personnel and plan for operations.
The new facility is expected to be operational in 2028 and will increase the Regiment’s ability to support electronic warfare personnel and capabilities, provide support to deployed electronic warfare forces and manage and maintain the unit’s material assets.
The 21 EW Regt, which is comprised of both Reserve and Regular Force members, provides tactical electronic warfare support to CAF operations. This support can take a variety of forms, such as intercepting and analyzing foreign communications, installing and maintaining radio, satellite, and broadband technology, and assisting with reconnaissance and surveillance.
Quotes
“This new facility will enhance the Canadian Armed Forces’ electronic warfare capability, at home and abroad. The project not only modernizes our infrastructure and enhances our capabilities, it also supports 150 local jobs – an investment in both our Armed Forces and Canadian workers.”
The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
“This new facility represents a critical investment in the future of the Canadian Armed Forces. By strengthening our electronic warfare capabilities, we are better equipped to meet the demands of the modern security environment. This project not only enhances our security but also delivers meaningful economic benefits by supporting local jobs and contributing to economic growth in Kingston.”
Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands
Quick facts
As indicated in our renewed vision for defence, Our North, Strong and Free, the Government of Canada is committed to improving quality of life for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and providing them with the tools they need to meet today’s and future challenges. This is why Our North, Strong and Free invests $10.2 billion over 20 years in current and new infrastructure.
Working with Defence Construction Canada, we will deliver an Indigenous Benefits Plan that will award almost 10% of our anticipated contract values to Indigenous businesses. The anticipated $5 million in work exceeds the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Benefits target of 5%. This strategy will guide our commitment to create more opportunities for Indigenous businesses to succeed and grow.
The facility will be built to meet the Canadian Green Building Council Zero-Carbon Building Performance Standards. In addition to high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, the facility will also feature on-site solar power generation to offset the building’s electrical demand. These will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Defence buildings to help meet the federal target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
The facility will also house the Logistics Vehicle Modernization platforms, light and heavy trucks, and the Electronic Warfare, Mobile Repair Team and Maintenance Recovery Vehicle variants of the Armoured Combat Support Vehicle. It will have maintenance bays equipped to conduct 1st line maintenance on vehicle fleets for decades to come.
