ACADA leads, connects, and champions a diverse, dynamic membership in a world-leading region of aerospace and defence.

The Atlantic Canada Aerospace and Defence Association (ACADA) supports, connects, and promotes a diverse and dynamic membership committed to delivering industry-leading aerospace and defence (A&D) solutions to the world. Through custom services and programming in direct response to market needs, we help our members and our region innovate future potential for positive global impact.

Our Vision

Atlantic Canada is a globally recognized hub of aerospace and defence excellence.

Our Mission

ACADA represents and supports the success of our Atlantic Canadian members.

We do this by:

  • Creating opportunities for businesses to connect
  • Creating a pathway to higher competency and capability
  • Gathering and sharing intelligence on opportunities

 

ACADA Core Values

  • Integrity guides us – we act with honesty, transparency, and accountability.
  • Community unites us – we build strong relationships that strengthen collaboration and create shared opportunities.
  • Member-centric focuses us – we design our priorities and programs around what matters most to our members.
  • Responsiveness drives us – we move at the speed of the industry, rapidly adapting to emerging threats and opportunities to deliver timely support to our members.
  • Outcomes orient us – we prioritize meaningful (or tangible) results that strengthen our members and the sector.

The regional voice for Atlantic Canada’s aerospace, defence, and security industries.

Did You Know?

  • ACADA represents 170+ members
  • 70% of our Core Industry Members employ <100 people
  • Regional specializations:
    • Shipbuilding
    • Sensor Technologies
    • Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO)
    • In-Service Support
    • Manufacturing
    • Cybersecurity
    • Training & Simulation
  • Atlantic Canada employs 16% of the total Canadian defence industry and 6% of the total Canadian aerospace industry
  • Atlantic Canada directly employs more than 11,000 people in aerospace & defence
  • Atlantic Canada generates $1.25B in direct GDP

Our Mandate

ACADA has a mandate to promote and facilitate the growth of our Atlantic Canadian aerospace, defence, and security industries.

ACADA plays an important leadership role as the regional voice and facilitator for strategic industry engagement and has a proven track record as an effective vehicle for harmonizing national and global promotion and advancement of the sector in Atlantic Canada.

The organization has been an instrumental contributor to the exponential growth of the SMEs involved in the industry, growing the sector (both directly and indirectly) by 150% over the last 12 years.

Our Focus

ACADA focuses on a number of key initiatives and priorities on behalf of our membership:

  • Workforce & Talent Development – Support member needs by advancing workforce capacity development in the region to build the skills of a 21st-century A&D workforce.
  • Enhanced Competitiveness – Promoting and facilitating business excellence approaches to help member companies become more competitive.
  • Business Development – Improve the economic impact of business development opportunities through effective preparation and market access.
  • Industry Promotion – Serve as a collective voice to champion Atlantic Canadian interests in the A&D sector.
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