A statement by Ottawa Board of Trade President & CEO, Sueling Ching
The Ottawa Board of Trade welcomes today’s announcement that Canada will host a new multinational institution dedicated to financing the defence, security, and resilience priorities of NATO allies and like-minded partners.
This is a nation-building opportunity.
The decision on where to locate this institution will determine how effectively it delivers on its mandate and how strongly Canada positions itself as a global leader in security, coordination, and allied cooperation.
Ottawa–Gatineau is the strategic choice.
This is not a conventional financial institution. It is a mission-critical platform that must operate at the intersection of government, defence, intelligence, and international diplomacy. Its success depends on proximity to decision-makers, trusted relationships, and real-time coordination.
That capability exists uniquely in Canada’s National Capital Region.
Ottawa-Gatineau offers immediate access to federal leadership, national defence, and more than 130 embassies and diplomatic missions, including NATO partners. It is Canada’s centre of gravity for security, policy, and allied coordination, supported by one of North America’s most concentrated ecosystems in defence, cybersecurity, and dual-use innovation.
Our location at the centre of Canada’s largest economic corridor fully leverages our broader national strengths, connecting seamlessly to Toronto’s financial markets and Montreal’s aerospace and innovation sectors, without competing interests and with full national alignment.
Most importantly, Ottawa-Gatineau is ready to operationalize immediately.
A coordinated Capital Region Defence Innovation Task Force is already in place, bringing together government, industry, and investment leaders to support rapid implementation. The infrastructure, talent, and governance proximity required to move from decision to delivery exist today, ensuring no delay in execution and no loss of momentum.
Financial capital is mobile. Trust, security, and sovereign coordination are built and sustained in place.
The National Capital Region is the lowest-risk, highest-impact location of the bank. That decision ensures the bank can deliver from day one while reinforcing Canada’s leadership within NATO and on the global stage.
This is an opportunity to anchor a generational institution where Canada’s national interests are advanced every day.
The decision is not simply where to locate the bank, it is how to ensure its success.
Ottawa–Gatineau delivers that certainty.
The Ottawa business community stands ready to partner with governments and allies to deliver a strong, credible launch with immediate global impact.