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The Defence, Security & Resilience Bank (DSR Bank) is a new multilateral institution financing defence, security, and resilience projects for NATO members and allies. The choice of host city is critical for speed, credibility, and market access.
Montréal stands out with a unique multilateral edge, a broad cross-sector ecosystem and comprehensive direct support for the DSR Bank’s launch and growth, minimizing execution risk and ensuring rapid, straightforward expansion from day one.
Québec stands at a rare crossroads where finance, defence, and international relations converge. By integrating the defence industry into our strategic economic vision, our government is demonstrating a clear and sustained commitment to this vital sector. Montréal, home to six United Nations offices and a world‑class financial ecosystem, further strengthens this position. With its concentration of global expertise and innovation, the city is exceptionally well placed to provide the DSR Bank with the depth of knowledge and support it needs to thrive.
François Legault
Premier of Québec
Montréal is uniquely positioned to host the Defence, Security & Resilience Bank. As the third‑largest hub for international organizations in the Americas, the city boasts a dynamic financial sector, a world‑renowned artificial intelligence ecosystem, and a leading aerospace industry. This powerful combination of expertise supported by a pool of highly qualified talents makes Montréal an exceptional destination for international and multilateral organizations like the DSR Bank.
Soraya Martinez Ferrada
Mayor of the City of Montréal and President of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal
Montréal’s relationship with international organizations dates back to the end of the Second World War and the dawn of modern civil aviation. That legacy has only strengthened over time. Today, the city hosts 68 international organizations, working alongside a robust financial industry and other key sectors for the DSR Bank’s activities. Montréal offers a stable, internationally connected environment rooted in a dynamic and thriving economy.
Jean-Yves Duclos
Québec Caucus Chair, Liberal Party of Canada
Montréal’s strategic advantage
Located at the crossroads of Europe, North America, and NATO’s Indo-Pacific allies, Montréal offers a balanced transatlantic perspective and direct access to Canada’s capital.
As Canada’s UN city and host to NATO Climate Change & Security Centre of Excellence, Montréal provides global and reliable networks. Its sophisticated financial ecosystem, skilled multilingual workforce, and expertise in finance, AI, defence, and aerospace provide an ideal environment to carry out the DSR Bank’s mission.
With direct flights to 150+ destinations and competitive costs, along with a strong local mobilization, Montréal is the prime location for impact and influence.
Our financial sector is powered by 140,000 professionals and built for growth!
Here, leading institutions stand by your side to make things happen:
- Swift ramp-up with trusted partners
- Immediate capital mobilization
- Scalable market access
Montréal hosts major financial institutions, such as BDC, La Caisse, Desjardins or National Bank, key players in domestic and international development financing. Montréal’s broader financial sector forms a bank‑ready ecosystem: structuring and distributing bond issuances, mobilizing institutional capital, supporting co-financing and risk-sharing mechanisms from day one.
Montréal leads with the most powerful mix of high value industries
- Aerospace drives defence: Among the world’s top 3 aerospace hubs, where we can build an aircraft end to end.
- AI transforms finance: Home to the world’s largest concentration of deep‑learning academic researchers.
- Innovation connects it all: Canada’s leading centre for university research funding and cross‑sector collaboration.
This leadership anchors Canada’s defence and security strength, powered by Québec’s unmatched performance across the sector.
- 46% of federal aerospace and defence contracts awarded to Québec-based companies (2015-2021)
3rd largest hub for international organizations in the Americas
Montréal is home to Canada’s international organization hub, with 68 international organizations, over 90% of the country’s multilateral organization jobs, and the strongest UN presence in Canada. Here, global voices come together to shape decisions and advance cooperation on the world’s most pressing challenges.
Thanks to the support of all three levels of government, Montréal brings proven expertise in welcoming multilateral organizations and accelerating their growth from ramp-up to scale-up. Québec’s Hospitality Policy for International Organizations offers significant benefits, including privileges in the application of the Charter of French Language, tax exemptions and more.
Home to 6 UN offices and NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence
NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence is the only NATO-accredited centre in Canada and provides strategic risk analysis to guide resilience, infrastructure, and security investments for the DSR Bank. It plays a key role by:
- Strengthening NATO’s ability to anticipate and prioritize security risks requiring large-scale financial mobilization.
- Fostering collaboration with governments, NGOs, academia, and industry to turn analysis into action.
- Implementing NATO Climate Change & Security Action Plan and supporting readiness and defence.
Montréal’s true strength lies in its people: multilingual, globally minded, and ready to drive security and resilience worldwide
Montréal is ready to bring its research expertise and advanced capabilities to support shared strategic goals. Backed by a deep‑rooted culture of collaboration across its universities, the city stands out as a true breeding ground for collective innovation. With over 500,000 students ready to join Québec’s workforce, Montréal is uniquely positioned to supply the DSR Bank with the talent it needs.
And equally important, Montréal offers an environment where your team can feel at home, inside AND outside the office, with advantageous, sustainable long‑term costs.
Montréal is the one and only Canadian city that brings together all the winning conditions to host and support the DSR Bank. The region benefits from a sophisticated financial sector, a world‑renowned aerospace and defence industry, and a cutting‑edge artificial intelligence ecosystem — all driven by a highly skilled, creative and multilingual talent pool. The local community has been mobilized for several months and stands ready to fully contribute to the long‑term success of the DSR Bank.
Stéphane Paquet
President and Chief Executive Officer, Montréal International
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