Building the North: Infrastructure, Innovation, and Indigenous Partnerships
Release Date: 10/20/2025
Delivering an All-Encompassing and Sovereign Canadian Sustainment Solution
The Vanguard Podcast
In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Sheldon Gillis, MSC, CD, CPSP Campaign Lead at , for a deep and timely conversation about what’s next for Canada’s submarine future—and why sustainment is just as important as the platform itself. With over 25 years of distinguished service in the Royal Canadian Navy—including command at sea, operational deployments across the globe, leadership roles in the Arctic, and senior oversight of naval requirements—Sheldon brings unparalleled insight into what it takes to deliver a modern, sovereign, and mission-ready...
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Leadership Under Pressure: Managing Complex Defence Projects
The Vanguard Podcast
When the stakes are high and the timeline is tight, what does leadership look like? In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones speaks with Paul Knowles, Senior Vice President and District Manager at , whose nearly 30-year career spans some of Canada’s most demanding infrastructure projects. From the nation’s capital to remote northern installations, PCL’s work under Paul’s leadership often unfolds in secure, mission-critical environments—where precision, collaboration, and trust aren’t just valued, they’re essential. Paul shares his insights into what it takes...
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Canada’s Newest Defense Supplier is One of the World’s Oldest
The Vanguard Podcast
is a name that is synonymous with aerospace and defense innovation and now, this global powerhouse is deepening its roots in Canada. In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Louis Girardin, CEO of Safran Electronics & Defense Canada, to explore how one of the world’s oldest defense innovators is bringing new energy and cutting-edge technologies to Canada’s evolving defence landscape. Louis shares his perspective on Safran’s long and storied history, the company’s expanding footprint in Montreal, and the strategic role Safran Electronics &...
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EllisDon: Supporting Canada’s Defence Strategy through Capability and Collaboration
The Vanguard Podcast
In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones speaks with Chris Lane, Senior Vice President and Area Manager at , about how one of Canada’s leading construction and infrastructure companies is helping to strengthen the nation’s defence readiness. Chris shares insights from his decade-long leadership journey with EllisDon—from his early days in the UK’s construction sector to overseeing major projects in Canada for clients like the Government of Canada, Defence Construction Canada, and the Department of National Defence. He discusses EllisDon’s unique approach to...
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Building the North: Infrastructure, Innovation, and Indigenous Partnerships
The Vanguard Podcast
In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Jim Landon, President of , and Jim Stark, Director, North of 60, ATCO Frontec, to explore the company’s pivotal role in building and sustaining Canada’s northern infrastructure. From the Canadian Arctic to Europe, ATCO Frontec delivers the operational backbone that supports government, defence, and industry in some of the most remote and challenging environments on Earth. Together, they discuss how defence and civilian infrastructure needs intersect in the North, the importance of dual-use projects that bolster...
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Hanwha: Ready to Deliver Submarines – and Beyond – for Canada
The Vanguard Podcast
In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Michael Coulter, President and CEO of Hanwha Global Defence, and Vice Admiral (Ret’d) Steve Jeong, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Naval Ship Global Business at Hanwha Ocean, to discuss one of the most significant naval programs in Canada’s modern history — the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje, South Korea, is one of the world’s largest and most advanced shipbuilding facilities, where the company builds the cutting-edge — a next-generation platform...
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How Does LR Support Naval Submarines?
The Vanguard Podcast
Featuring Matthew Palmer, Global Commercial Lead, Submarines at Lloyd’s Register Hosted by J. Richard Jones In this episode of Vanguard Radio, we dive beneath the surface of naval innovation with Matthew Palmer, Global Commercial Lead for Submarines at . A former Royal Navy Engineering Officer who served on nuclear-powered submarines, Matthew brings unique technical insight into how LR is shaping the future of submarine safety, design, and lifecycle assurance. From the Naval Submarine Code to LR’s Submarine Assurance Framework, Palmer shares how these goal-based standards are...
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Mission Ready Water – Below the Waves
The Vanguard Podcast
Interview with Corey Switzer, Director, WaterTech Operations & Military Market Leader, BluMetric Environmental Inc. In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Corey Switzer, Director of WaterTech Operations and Military Market Leader at With over 13 years of experience delivering mission ready water in some of the world’s most demanding environments, Corey shares insights into how BluMetric designs, builds, and sustains advanced water and wastewater treatment systems for the military, mining industry, and remote communities. From the Arctic to...
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More than Middleware: Powering Canada's Next-Gen Defence Systems with RTI Connext®
The Vanguard Podcast
Canada’s defence landscape is evolving rapidly — from NORAD modernization to Arctic missions — and data is at the heart of the transformation. In this episode, host J. Richard Jones sits down with John Breitenbach, Director of Aerospace & Defence Markets at Real-Time Innovations (RTI), and David Pratt, Principal at David Pratt & Associates and former Canadian Minister of National Defence, to explore how a data-centric architecture is reshaping the way military systems are designed, integrated, and deployed. Together, they dive into the most pressing developments in Canadian and...
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Boots on the Ground: A SITREP from General Dynamics’ Mission Specialists
The Vanguard Podcast
In the latest episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones has the opportunity to chat with Reaghan Sunstrum, Mission Specialist at and Steve Cross, also a Mission Specialist at General Dynamics Missions Systems–Canada. Their conversation revolves around the Canadian Army experience, the Canadian Army in Latvia and Battle Lab. Reaghan Sunstrum is a Mission Specialist at General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada, and a dedicated Canadian Army Reservist based in Calgary, AB. She has 16 years of service in the Army Reserves as a Signal Operator and currently holds the rank of Master...
info_outlineIn this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Jim Landon, President of ATCO Frontec, and Jim Stark, Director, North of 60, ATCO Frontec, to explore the company’s pivotal role in building and sustaining Canada’s northern infrastructure. From the Canadian Arctic to Europe, ATCO Frontec delivers the operational backbone that supports government, defence, and industry in some of the most remote and challenging environments on Earth.
Together, they discuss how defence and civilian infrastructure needs intersect in the North, the importance of dual-use projects that bolster both national security and community resilience, and the innovative approaches required to deliver facilities management, camp services, and logistical support where conditions are extreme.
Listeners will gain insight into ATCO Frontec’s deep partnerships with Indigenous communities, including its work with Nasittuq Corporation on the North Warning System and CFS Alert, as well as how these collaborations are creating lasting benefits for northern economies and people.
The conversation also looks ahead to the future of northern infrastructure development, exploring how emerging opportunities in defence modernization, sustainability, and strategic infrastructure are reshaping Canada’s Arctic presence.
Whether you’re interested in defence logistics, northern development, or the growing importance of public-private and Indigenous partnerships, this episode offers a compelling look at how ATCO Frontec is helping Canada build, sustain, and secure its North.