The Secure Canada 2008 defence show, incorporating displays and conferences from various industry groups including the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) group AUVSI Canada and AFCEA, the defence electronics industry association, has cancelled the show over security concerns.

According to show organizer Rick Tachuk of Electric Strategies, the show scheduled for September 30 – October 1, 2008, could not afford to pay for the extra security required after the Ottawa police identified threats around the show and required that additional security costs be paid up front.

General Dynamics Canada, based in Ottawa has recently celebrated its 60th anniversary of continuous operation in Canada. Established in August, 1948, the company has been a reliable supplier to the Canadian Forces and exporter of defence products and services worlwide and currently employs 2200 people nationwide. Environment Minister, John Baird helped the company and its employees celebrate the milestone on September 22 at the Ottawa plant.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), acting on behalf of the Government of Argentina and the Argentine Aeronautic Administration (AAA), has awarded to Viking Air Limited of Victoria, BC the heavy maintenance contract for complete overhaul and engine upgrade for one of eight DHC-6-200 Twin Otters operated by the AAA.

The Government of Canada, as announced by the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, the Honourable Christian Paradis, and the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, intends to award two long-term contracts totaling approximately $2 billion to Lockheed Martin Canada for the Combat Systems Integration (CSI) Design and Build and In-Service Support elements of the modernization of Canada's 12 Halifax Class Navy frigates. 

General Dynamics Canada officially opened its new Halifax Engineering Facility in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on September 5, 2008. The opening event was attended by the Honourable Rodney MacDonald, Premier of Nova Scotia; Dr. Lawrence Paul, Chief, Millbrook First Nation; and Mr. John Watts, President, General Dynamics Canada.

The Centre for Export Controls Excellence will be presenting a training program on US Export Controls – from a Non-US Perspective. The program will be held in Montreal on September 8 & 9 and in Toronto on September 11 & 12, 2008.

Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) has announced the termination of two procurement processes involving the shipbuilding industry.

Ottawa based DEW Engineering has been acquired by CoorsTek, a maker of ceramic protection products for body, vehicle and aircraft armor. DEW supplies armoring products for vehicles like the LAV III and is a supplier to companies like GDLS Canada as well as DND. CoorsTek, a company that evolved into a ceramics company from the famous beer brand, picked up 100% of the outstanding shares of DEW from Walter Roueche, the sole shareholder.

After finding proposals by the two shortlisted companies for the Navy's JSS program non-compliant, the Minister of Public Works (PWGSC) has announced the termination of the procurement process for the new supply ships. The Crown found that both proposals (CANAMP, a consortium headed up by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and  also SNC Lavalin, partnered with Thales and Washington Marine group) did not meet the terms provided for in the statement of requirement and that both teams were "significantly over the established budget provisions". The JSS program was established to replace the Navy's Protecteur Class AOR ships and was scheduled to provide the replacement ships in the 2012 - 2016 timeframe.

L-3’s SPAR subsidiary has been awarded an $18 million contract by the U.K. Ministry of Defence, Royal Air Force to perform outer wing replacements on three C-130K aircraft. In recent months L-3's MAS operation has taken over responsibility for L-3 SPAR operations in Edmonton which wer primarily focused on providing service work for the C-130 military transport aircraft. Following L-3 SPAR's loss of the Canadian service contract for the C-130 its operation has been reduced significantly.