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Or sign-in if you have an account.Vancouver, B.C. Photo by jamesvancouver /Getty ImagesThe final op-ed in a series in which advocates for the five Canadian cities vying to be the home of NATO’s new Defence, Security and Resilience Bank make their case. Today, B.C. Premier David Eby, B.C. Minister Ravi Kahlon and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim on why the western seaport is the right choice.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorToday’s global landscape is shifting faster than many institutions designed to navigate it. In Davos, Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized that Canada is working to connect the world’s major democratic economies: championing a bridge between the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the European Union. This vision places Canada at the hinge point between the Indo-Pacific and Europe, advancing resilience, strategic cooperation and shared security across regions that matter most to our future. It reflects a world where continental partnerships are increasingly interconnected, and where Canada must be able to operate across the geographies it aims to unite.That is precisely why Canada was selected as the host country for the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB). If Canada intends to build a system capable of coordinating across Europe, Asia and the Arctic within a single working day, the DSRB must be anchored in Vancouver. It is geographically the only major centre where business can be conducted with Europe and Asia in a single day. This is not simply a convenience. It is a long-term operational advantage.This newsletter from NP Comment tackles the topics you care about. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againJust last week, as western Canada’s premiers debated economic priorities — each of them agreed that Vancouver is the best place in the country for this bank.Vancouver is Canada’s tri-continental bridge from Europe to Asia, with direct Arctic connection, mirroring the evolving priorities of global security, supply-chain resilience and allied cooperation.Vancouver is a globally connected city with the depth of talent required for the DSRB to succeed immediately. It is home to Canada’s largest port, leading concentrations of expertise in cybersecurity, AI, quantum and digital infrastructure, alongside sophisticated financial, legal and governance talent. The city offers secure, move-in ready headquarters options in the downtown core, full consular representation, a diverse and multilingual workforce, and experience in multilateral institutions, international finance, and security-adjacent industries, meaning the bank can launch operations without delay.The region also hosts core defence-linked assets: the Royal Canadian Navy’s Pacific Fleet at CFB Esquimalt; a globally significant marine industry; aerospace clusters integrated with the Boeing value chain; and companies producing Arctic-capable logistics and mobility systems. These aren’t abstract advantages. They are real, working systems that align with the DSRB’s purpose and give it immediate operational relevance. Locating the bank in Vancouver places it inside these networks, enabling the institution to deliver tangible results from day one.This moment also invites Canada to think more broadly about how its strengths are distributed across the country. Most of Canada’s major federal institutions remain concentrated in the East. Selecting Vancouver would demonstrate that Ottawa intends to invest in and leverage the full geography of the country, especially the region most aligned with the shifting centre of gravity in global trade and security. It would signal a commitment to ensuring Western Canada is fully woven into the country’s long-term strategic and economic future.Anchoring the DSRB in Vancouver would also generate broader benefits for Western Canada. Critical minerals, renewable energy, aerospace, marine technology, logistics, and advanced manufacturing, all essential to the DSRB’s mission, are concentrated in the West. The bank’s presence would deepen partnerships with these industries, attract global investment, and embed the region more fully within allied supply chains and security networks. And it would strengthen Canada’s international presence, signalling that the country intends not just to participate in global resilience efforts but to help shape them.In a world where democracies must work together to secure supply chains, protect critical infrastructure, and build shared resilience, Canada cannot afford to place its newest global institution in a location that limits its operational reach.The question before the federal government is simple: Where should Canada anchor an institution built for a world that demands speed, coordination and resilience across continents? Vancouver is the only Canadian city where geography, infrastructure, diplomatic presence and defence-linked industrial capability all converge. It is the location that best matches the DSRB’s operational, economic, and strategic needs, allowing the bank to be fully effective from its first day of operation.Choosing Vancouver is choosing the Canada we aspire to be: confident, outward-looking and ready to lead in a changing world.It is, quite simply, the strategic choice.National PostPremier David Eby, Minister Ravi Kahlon, Mayor Ken Sim, on behalf of the Vancouver Bid Committee Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Opinion: Vancouver is the strategic choice for the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank
Vancouver is Canada’s tri-continental bridge from Europe to Asia, with direct Arctic connection








