General Dynamics Canada Opens New Engineering Facility in Halifax

September 5, 2008

General Dynamics Canada has opened a new engineering facility in Halifax to coincide with the company’s 60th anniversary. The new building will serve as the company’s Maritime In-Service Support (ISS) Centre of Excellence.

The new facility is a 48,000 square foot building designed and owned by Millbrook First Nation. The four-storey building is already home to more than 30 employees and will eventually accommodate more than 150 technology workers to provide systems integration and software support for a variety of General Dynamics Canada programs.

At the opening ceremony, Millbrook First Nation conducted a series of traditional aboriginal ceremonies to bless the new building, including a Mi’kmaq Smudging ceremony and the Mi’kmaq Drum Group Eastern Eagle who performed the Mi’kmaq Honour Song, which honours Mi’kmaq ancestors, respect for aboriginal roots, and helping one another. General Dynamics Canada has entered into a long-term lease arrangement with the aboriginal band.

"We are pleased to enter into a partnership with General Dynamics Canada and to play a role in the economic development of Nova Scotia," said Dr. Lawrence Paul, Chief of the Millbrook First Nation. "The company has demonstrated a great level of respect and understanding regarding First Nation’s culture and heritage, and we take pride in welcoming them as a new member of our community."

Founded on August 31, 1948, General Dynamics Canada is celebrating 60 years of continuous operations in Canada. In addition to the new Halifax facility, the company has operations in Bells Corners and Kanata in Ottawa, and a corporate campus in Calgary. With more than 2,200 employees in Ottawa, Calgary and Halifax, General Dynamics Canada is Canada’s largest defence electronics company.
www.gdcanada.com