Each year, ACADA celebrates the brilliance and strength of our membership through the Industry Excellence Awards.

Award Categories

  • Innovation Leader: Recognizes an ACADA member company that invested significantly in research and development initiatives to develop and commercialize an innovative product or service that has contributed to building the capability of the A&D industry in Atlantic Canada.
  • Business Development Distinction: Recognizes an ACADA member company that has secured a significant defence or commercial contract through their strategic planning and dedicated business development efforts, effectively capitalizing on opportunities to achieve outstanding success.
  • Most Promising Start-Up or Business Diversification: Recognizes an ACADA member company, either an early-stage start-up or an established business that has diversified into the A&D industry in the past two years, that can demonstrate a successful market entry evidenced by established revenue streams or secured contracts.
  • Diversity and Inclusion Excellence: ACADA recognizes the role of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) as essential to the growth and continued success of any organization. This award recognizes an ACADA member company that has shown dedication and commitment to advance DEIB in their workplace by creating the structures to support under-represented groups (e.g., women, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, new Canadians, members of visible minorities, etc.) and, therefore, promoting diversity in the A&D industry.

Announcing the 2024 winners: 

–Innovation Leader: THALES
–Business Development Distinction: MARSHALL CANADA
–Most Promising Start-Up or Business Diversification: GALAXIA
–Diversity and Inclusion Excellence: SmartICE Sea Ice Monitoring & Information Inc.

 

About THALES
Thales is a global technology leader with more than 81,000 employees on five continents. The Group is investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations – Big Data, artificial intelligence, connectivity, cybersecurity and quantum technology – to build a future we can all trust. In the markets of defence and security, aerospace and space, digital identity and cybersecurity, Thales provides solutions, services and products to help its customers – companies, organisations and governments – to carry out their critical missions. Learn more: https://www.thalesgroup.com/en

Brief from the winning submission: 

Thales Canada invests nearly $40 million annually in research and development, focusing on enhancing the innovation and commercial capabilities of Atlantic Canada’s aerospace and defense industry. In 2024, Thales launched the National Digital Excellence Centre (NDEC) in Fredericton and initiated the second season of the COVE Naval Technology Innovation Challenges, driving innovation in cybersecurity, digital transformation, and sustainability. Thales also invested in local SMEs, such as Virtual Marine, to accelerate their capabilities and foster the next generation of talent. Through mentorship, collaboration, and strategic investments, Thales strengthens Atlantic Canada’s innovation ecosystem, supporting long-term prosperity and defense industry growth. 

About MARSHALL CANADA
Marshall Canada provides applied engineering services and product solutions to domestic and international customers alike. For over 100 years, Marshall has delivered a wide range of ground-breaking engineering solutions across land, sea and air. It is this experience, coupled with the ability to be flexible, agile and responsive, that sets Marshall Canada apart from its competitors and enables us to tailor engineering services that meet a broad range of operational requirements. Learn more: https://marshallgroup.com/en-ca

Brief from the winning submission: 

In May, The Power Team, led by Marshall Canada and GDLS-Canada, secured a $2.58 billion contract to modernize the Canadian Armed Forces’ logistics vehicles. This project involves creating mission modules at Marshall’s new Moncton facility, which will significantly contribute to New Brunswick’s metal manufacturing sector. The initiative is expected to create over 500 jobs by 2028 and boost the province’s fabricated metal manufacturing sector GDP by 15% by 2026. Marshall Canada’s strategic efforts and collaboration have positioned it for substantial growth in the Canadian defense industry and we are happy that this project is making a significant contribution to Atlantic Canada. 

About GALAXIA
GALAXIA is a leading Canadian space technology company, supported by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), specializing in advanced satellite systems and real-time, in-orbit data processing. With end-to-end mission planning capabilities, we bring Canadian innovation to space, from satellite design to launch and operations. Learn more: https://gx.space/

Brief from the winning submission: 

GALAXIA Mission Systems, a Nova Scotia-based start-up, has quickly established itself as a leader in the aerospace and defense sector through innovative technologies like its Möbius Software Defined Satellite (SDS) system. The company has secured major government contracts and a nearly $2 million dollar investment from the Canadian Space Agency, enabling commercialization of its cutting-edge solutions. With a strong leadership team and strategic growth plans, GALAXIA is well-positioned to continue its rise as a key player in the A&D industry. 

About SMARTICE
SmartICE offers a suite of climate change adaptation tools that integrate Indigenous and local knowledge of ice with advanced data acquisition, remote monitoring and satellite mapping for ice travel safety. Our community-based services provide invaluable, data-driven insights into ice thickness and local ice travel conditions, in near real-time. Learn more: https://smartice.org/

Brief from the winning submission: 

SmartICE integrates Indigenous knowledge with advanced technology to ensure ice travel safety in more than 30 Northern Canadian communities. As an Indigenous-led organization, it prioritizes Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) by employing Indigenous staff and involving communities in program design and decision-making. With 35% of core staff and 100% of Inuit Nunangat community staff being Indigenous, SmartICE works closely with local governance structures and creates inclusive Community Management Committees. Through respectful community engagement and annual climate surveys, SmartICE remains committed to reconciliation, supporting Indigenous youth, and fostering cultural inclusion in all its operations.