Eight Nations Promote the Defence, Security, and Resilience Bank at NATO Summit: Ottawa-Gatineau Advocates for Hosting Role

On July 7, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney participated in the NATO Summit in Ankara, where leaders from eight allied nations signed a declaration to establish the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB). This initiative represents a groundbreaking multilateral financial institution aimed at mobilizing public and private capital for collective defense, security, and resilience priorities. Canada has been selected as the host country for the DSRB’s headquarters, a decision finalized after successful negotiations of the Articles of Agreement in Montréal in April 2026. The DSRB is anticipated to begin operations by 2027.

The DSRB’s primary purpose is to offer long-term, low-cost financing for diverse defense, security, and resilience initiatives, especially within supply chains. It aims to support governments and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in overcoming critical funding gaps, enhancing industrial capacity, and speeding up production. The institution will provide guarantees to make capital and loans more accessible to member states for essential investments, while it will complement existing national and international financial instruments.

For Canada, home to over 530 defense firms that directly account for around 37,700 jobs and contributed $8.6 billion to the nation's GDP in 2024, the establishment of the DSRB presents opportunities for significant growth. The DSRB could facilitate market expansion and competition in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, space, and cybersecurity. Prime Minister Carney emphasized that the DSRB would unlock investments and strengthen the defense industrial base, enabling Canada and its allies to collectively respond to an increasingly volatile global landscape. Minister of Finance François-Philippe Champagne echoed this sentiment by highlighting the potential for Canadian industries to enhance their capabilities and export strength by supporting SMEs in scaling their operations.

With Canada confirmed as the host nation, the federal government will choose the permanent headquarters city for the DSRB. The Ottawa-Gatineau region has emerged as a strong candidate due to its proximity to key federal defense decision-makers, procurement officials, and relevant policy institutions. The region is home to over 130 embassies and high commissions, in addition to military attachés from NATO and allied nations, making it an ideal diplomatic hub for the DSRB's operations. Mayors Mark Sutcliffe and Maude Marquis-Bissonnette have united with regional leaders and defense industry stakeholders to advocate for Ottawa-Gatineau, emphasizing that the DSRB’s unique role as a defense institution necessitates its location near the very entities it serves.

Should the DSRB be established in Ottawa-Gatineau, it could significantly nurture the region's growing defense ecosystem, bringing international collaboration, defense finance expertise, and necessary institutional frameworks. Invest Ottawa is actively positioning the region as the preferred location for the DSRB, enhancing its capacity to support defense innovation initiatives.

In summary, the DSRB represents a transformative step towards strengthening collective defense and resilience among NATO allies, with Canada at the forefront as a key facilitator and host of this innovative financial institution.