Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
October 28, 2016

Recognizing Arctic Opportunities

Province Focused on Economic Growth in Aerospace, Defence and Security Industries

Aerospace, defence and security leaders are congregating in St. John’s this week as the Aerospace and Defence Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador hosts the fourth annual Maritime and Arctic Security and Safety Conference (MASS16) at the St. John’s Convention Centre from October 27-28. This year’s theme – Converging Interests – highlights the industry’s challenges with operating in northern and Maritime environments.

“Located on international shipping lanes and northern sea routes, Newfoundland and Labrador is an ideal hub on the path to the Arctic. The Provincial Government recognizes the opportunities in the aerospace, defence and security industries. Considering the future of offshore oil and gas, mining, shipping, research and development, and security in the Arctic, it is clear that Newfoundland and Labrador is well positioned for future economic growth.”
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The conference brings together government, military, Canadian and U.S. Coast Guard, industry, and academic leaders to focus on the challenges and solutions associated with northern and Maritime environments and local capabilities for the Maritime and Arctic security sector. The aim of this conference is to promote stakeholder collaboration, technological innovation, research and development of harsh environments, and world-class education efforts that contribute to northern development.

“The Maritime and Arctic Security and Safety Conference is a multi-disciplinary forum for government, coast guard, military, industry and academia to foster dialogue across converging interests in addressing North Atlantic and Arctic operations. With over 250 key stakeholders in attendance, including notable international speakers and delegates, MASS16 is reinforcing that Newfoundland and Labrador is the path to the Arctic.”
- Lin Paddock, Executive Director, Aerospace and Defence Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

The conference follows the Arctic Technology Conference, which was held October 24-26 in St. John’s and is focused on solutions for Arctic and harsh environment oil and gas development. Between the two events, there were close to 1,000 attendees learning about the provincial capabilities and opportunities for Arctic development.

For more information on the 2016 Maritime and Arctic Security and Safety Conference, please visit www.maritimearcticsecurity.ca .

QUICK FACTS

• MASS16 is taking place October 27-28 at the St. John’s Convention Centre.
• The conference brings together government, military, Canadian and U.S. Coast Guard, industry, and academic leaders to focus on the challenges and solutions associated with northern and Maritime environments and local capabilities for the Maritime and Arctic security sector
• The aim of this conference is to promote stakeholder collaboration, technological innovation, research and development of harsh environments, and world-class education efforts that contribute to northern development.
• Between MASS16 and the Artic Technology Conference, there were approximately 1,000 attendees learning about provincial capabilities and opportunities for Artic development.

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Media contacts:

Debbie Marnell Director of Communications (A) Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4819, 699-9048 debbiemarnell@gov.nl.ca

Lin Paddock Executive Director Aerospace and Defence Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador 709-237-7340 lin.paddock@adianl.ca

2016 10 28                              3:20 p.m.