WHITE PAPER ON NATIONAL INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY

Republic of Newfoundland — 2021 Edition

Issued by the Ministry of Industry, Science, and Innovation (MISI)
Presented to the House of Assembly, St. John’s — 14 September 2021

Preface

Industrial sovereignty is the cornerstone of Newfoundland’s independence.
From the shipyards of Marystown to the datacentres of Goose Bay, the Republic’s prosperity depends on a union of energy, science, and innovation.
This White Paper defines the framework for national industry, technology, and infrastructure through 2035.

“We will manufacture our own future — and wire it to the world.”
— Prime Minister Elena Hanrahan, National Technology Forum Address, 2021

1. Foundations of National Industry

1.1 Strategic Objectives

1. Ensure Newfoundland’s self-reliance in critical manufacturing and energy.

2. Develop sovereign AI and aerospace capabilities.

3. Build integrated northern infrastructure linking Labrador and the island.

4. Export technology, not raw materials.

1.2 Industrial Development Zones

• Avalon Industrial Belt: high-tech manufacturing, electronics, and AI labs.

• Marystown Shipyard Complex: naval construction and offshore engineering.

• Labrador Hydro-Industrial Zone: energy-intensive industries powered by hydroelectric surplus.

• Goose Bay Innovation Hub: datacentres, aerospace testing, and Arctic research.

2. Energy as Industrial Infrastructure

2.1 The Labrador Grid

Churchill Falls, Gull Island, and Lower Churchill generate more than 9 GW of renewable electricity.
The 800 kV HVDC Labrador–Island Link transmits clean energy to Avalon, while the North Atlantic Power Cableexports to Ireland and the UK.

2.2 Fibre and Digital Corridors

The Labrador Fibre Spine (LFS) parallels hydro routes from Churchill Falls to St. John’s, forming the Republic’s digital backbone.
With 480 Tb/s capacity and Arctic redundancy through Greenland, the LFS enables national cloud computing, AI training, and real-time defence communications.

2.3 Industrial Electrification

By 2025, 98 % of industrial power will be renewable.
Electric arc furnaces, shipyard cranes, and robotics plants are already grid-connected, eliminating fossil-fuel generation on the island.

3. National Manufacturing Sectors

3.1 Shipbuilding and Marine Systems

• Bonavista-class patrol vessels for RNN and NATO partners.

• Avalon-class cargo ships, LNG-ready and ice-strengthened.

• Civil ship exports to Iceland, Norway, and Canada.

3.2 Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing

• Goose Bay Aerospace Complex produces NF-series aircraft components.

• Argentia Composites Ltd. manufactures airframes using domestic carbon fibre.

• NATO Offset Program integrates Newfoundland suppliers into allied contracts.

3.3 Advanced Materials

• Torngat Metals Plant processes rare-earth oxides from Labrador.

• Clarenville Graphite Works develops battery-grade anodes.

• Corner Brook Biomaterials Centre creates wood-based composites for construction and ship interiors.

4. Artificial Intelligence and Digital Sovereignty

4.1 The National AI Strategy (NAIS 2020)

Newfoundland declared data a sovereign resource.
AI development is governed by the AI Ethics Act (2020) ensuring transparency and public benefit.

4.2 The Labrador AI Cluster

Hydroelectric power and cold climate make Labrador ideal for large-scale computing.
The Goose Bay AI Campus hosts:

• The PolarNet Supercluster — 250 PFLOPS national cloud for defence, meteorology, and oceanography;

• Memorial University Centre for Machine Learning, co-funded by CDC and MISI;

• Private startups specializing in language models, maritime navigation AI, and environmental analytics.

4.3 Cyber Security and Data Sovereignty

All major data centres are connected to CDC CommandNet, ensuring encryption parity with Six Eyes standards.
Data residency laws require all government and defence data to remain on national soil.

5. Industrial Innovation Programs

5.1 National Development Corporation (NDC)

Invests Sovereign Fund dividends into technology ventures and industrial research.
Between 2015 and 2021, NDC funded ₦ 4.7 billion NFD in R&D across 82 projects.

5.2 Research Partnerships

Memorial University and Labrador Institute partner with industry on:

• Hydrogen fuel-cell research (Stephenville Labs).

• Smart-grid analytics.

• Arctic satellite navigation and mapping.

5.3 Export Technology Initiative

Promotes software, robotics, and renewable-energy systems abroad, doubling technology exports since 2018.

6. Education and Workforce

6.1 Technical Education Network

The Newfoundland Polytechnic System operates campuses in St. John’s, Corner Brook, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
It supplies skilled engineers, welders, and programmers for national industries.

6.2 Youth Innovation Grant

Provides seed funding for graduates launching start-ups in robotics, AI, and clean tech, linking education directly with production.

7. Industrial Policy and Finance

7.1 Incentives

The Industrial Tax Credit Act (2018) offers:

• 10 % tax credit on new machinery;

• zero import tariffs on renewable-energy components;

• export insurance through the National Export Bank of Newfoundland.

7.2 Sovereign Fund Reinvestment

20 % of Sovereign Fund annual returns finance technology infrastructure, ensuring independence from foreign debt.

8. Infrastructure Modernization

8.1 National Transport Grid

• Electrified freight rail linking Corner Brook, Gander, and Argentia.

• High-speed ferry routes using hybrid propulsion.

• Planned Trans-Labrador Tunnel Feasibility Study (2023) for all-season connectivity.

8.2 Industrial Ports

Upgrades to St. John’s, Marystown, and Goose Bay Ports enable heavy cargo handling and LNG exports.

8.3 Digital Infrastructure

Universal broadband: 99.8 % of households connected ≥ 1 Gb/s via the LFS network.

9. Environmental and Social Sustainability

Industrial growth remains balanced with environmental protection:

• All new plants meet Zero Discharge Standard (2020).

• Carbon-neutral manufacturing by 2035.

• Labour laws ensure fair wages, gender equality, and safety parity with NATO standards.

10. Outlook — “The Engine of Sovereignty”

By 2035, Newfoundland will:

• Produce all heavy machinery, ships, and aircraft parts domestically;

• Operate a 100 % renewable-energy industrial base;

• Export advanced software and robotics to NATO and Six Eyes partners;

• Employ over 60 000 citizens in high-tech and engineering fields;

• Maintain full cyber and data sovereignty through CDC CommandNet.

“Industry is the nation’s backbone — powered by Labrador’s rivers, connected by its fibre, and driven by Newfoundland’s hands.”
— President Mary O’Brien, Industrial Address to Parliament, 2021