Portage College representatives were part of a recent meeting and base tour at CFB Cold Lake 4-Wing that included Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Joseph Schow, area MLA Scott Cyr, senior military officials, and municipal leaders.
The meeting, held at the beginning of February, included discussions about an overall strategy on economic growth in northeastern Alberta tied to the federal investment at the base. The base is currently in the second year of a six-year construction project that will create new hangar space, maintenance facilities, and utility infrastructure associated with the anticipated arrival of new fighter jets to replace the existing CF-18 fleet. The Department of National Defence has committed $525 million into the project so far.
City of Cold Lake officials call the funding a “once-in-a-generation” investment into the Royal Canadian Air Force that could open many doors for growth and opportunity in the region. The recent meeting provided an opportunity for regional officials to discuss those opportunities.
Portage College President and CEO Dr. Steve Price, Vice President Academic and Research Dr. Donna Feledichuk and Associate Vice President Academic Don Moore were part of the discussions that included Portage’s role in the expansion of training and learning opportunities, with a focus on aerospace training and the transition of military personnel to new career pathways. Other topics included improvements to regional highway networks, housing demands, a need for scheduled passenger air service, and critical infrastructure.
Moore says the meeting was a “wonderful opportunity to better understand the needs and opportunities for development in northeastern Alberta.”
Moore has also been part of a recent joint research project between Portage College and the University of Alberta exploring best practices for military training and education. The research, geared to support increased post-secondary engagement with military training, has received nationwide attention.
Image courtesy 4 Wing Cold Lake
Image Courtesy 4 Wing Cold Lake
Image Courtesy 4 Wing Cold Lake
Billions in future military spending
The regional discussions took place just days before Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney launched Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy. According to the federal government, the strategy, unveiled on Feb. 17, positions Canadian industry to take advantage of $180 billion in defence procurement opportunities and $290 billion in defence-related capital investment opportunities in Canada over the next 10 years. The plan is projected to generate upwards of $125 billion downstream economic benefit by 2035. The Defence Industrial Strategy is also expected to create 125,000 high-paying careers.
MLA Cyr says anticipated growth from the current and future development at 4-Wing “will drive long-term economic opportunity across Alberta and the Lakeland region through skilled trades employment, aerospace innovation, supply-chain development, and new partnerships between industry, government, and education.”
College training
Portage College, with campus locations across northeastern Alberta, including Cold Lake, Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Lac La Biche and St. Paul, begins a new program in 2026, allowing students to graduate with an Aircraft Structures Technician Certificate. The in-person classes will take place in Cold Lake at a state-of-the-art hangar at the Cold Lake Regional Airport.