Sovereign Defence Investment Readiness Program

Type
Development
Topic(s)
Business
Property

The Sovereign Defence Investment Readiness Program is an incentive offered through the Employment Development Community Improvement Plan (CIP).

The program is intended to incentivize and accelerate industrial capacity in areas related to sovereign defence capabilities as identified by the federal government, including:

  • aerospace,
  • ammunition,
  • digital systems,
  • in-service support,
  • sensors,
  • space,
  • specialized manufacturing,
  • personnel protection,
  • training and simulation, and
  • uncrewed and autonomous systems.

Program Overview

The program will offer development charges (DC) abatements for new construction outlined as follows: 

  • 25,000–49,999 sq. ft.: 25% development charge abatement;
  • 50,000–74,999 sq. ft.: 50% development charge abatement; 
  • 75,000–99,999 sq. ft.: 75% development charge abatement; and, 
  • 100,000–300,000 sq. ft.: 100% development charge abatement. 

The City will cap this financial incentive at a maximum of 300,000 sq. ft. per property over the five-year period.

Eligible costs for the Sovereign Defence Investment Readiness Program will cover the city-portion of related development charges due in an industrial building or development, which can include any employment-related use. 

The applicant is required to enter into a Development Charges Abatement Agreement with the City at the time of approval, and the agreement will outline program criteria which must be satisfied. 

Projects that are not eligible for a 100% abatement will be required to pay the remaining portion of development charges at building permit issuance. 

The abatement will be applied to City-Wide development charges and will be applicable to area specific development charges. 

Development charges will be payable at any time as determined by the City should the following occur: 

  • The end-user is not related to expanding Canada’s sovereign defence capabilities unless an alternative agreement is entered into; 
  • any other material default as defined in the agreement(s). 

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Sovereign Defence Investment Readiness Program, applicants must meet all eligibility requirements in Sections 3.3.1 and 3.3.7 of the Employment Development CIP. Please read and review the Employment Development CIP before completing an application. Key criteria:

  • Projects must be located within the City of Barrie municipal boundary as it existed on the date of passing By-Law Number 2026-018 to be eligible for financial incentives. 
  • Project sites shall not be located on lands subject to flooding hazards, erosion hazards, including wetlands.
  • Projects must be located on a vacant site and involve new construction.
  • The proposed end user must be confirmed by proof of future tenancy or other legal documentation to the satisfaction of the City solicitor or designate and business activities must meet the definition of sovereign defence as defined in the Zoning By-law.
    • This could include the requirement to demonstrate operations within the industrial defence sector.
  • Priority will be given to projects anticipating the creation of a large amount of new/redeveloped gross floor area and large investments values, or significant employment impact.

Any projects under this incentive are not eligible for a DC Deferral Program or the Sovereign Defence Industrial Space Activation Program.

Application Details

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants must: 

The City may require the agreement to be registered on title to the subject property where appropriate.

CIP Program Guidelines

Please see the guidelines for full information. For questions about the program, contact Invest Barrie at invest@barrie.ca.

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