December 17, 2025 – Courtenay, British Columbia – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Today, the Associate Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Jill McKnight, on behalf of the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, announced that the Department of National Defence (DND) has acquired a 52-unit apartment building in Courtenay, British Columbia (B.C.). This $19.1 million apartment complex will provide accommodations for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members working at 19 Wing Comox, with occupancy expected to begin in summer 2026.
Following the recent acquisition of an apartment complex in Esquimalt, B.C., this is the second acquisition by DND completed using an innovative multi-department approach that reduced the typical processing time for these types of acquisitions from one to two years to just 12 weeks, resulting in faster access to housing for CAF members.
Progress on other residential housing initiatives across Canada continues, including:
- Construction of 36 apartment units in six net-zero-emissions ready buildings in Edmonton, Alberta, planned for completion in spring 2026—the first of their kind built by the Government of Canada;
- Completion of two new six-unit buildings in late 2026 and advancement of design work for an additional 48 residential units in Kingston, Ontario;
- Multi-year construction of 60 residential units in Valcartier, Quebec, and 48 units in Halifax, Nova Scotia, starting in 2026;
- Construction of 48 residential units in Borden, Ontario;
- Design work for 80 residential units in Petawawa, Ontario, 32 in Edmonton, Alberta, 72 in Borden, Ontario; and 40 in Gagetown, New Brunswick; and,
- Reserving 20 completed residential units from the private sector and the design of 92 residential units beginning this fall in Trenton, Ontario.
We are committed to providing CAF members with safe and suitable housing options. Initiatives such as this innovative apartment complex acquisition, along with measures like leveraging or divesting surplus properties, contribute to Canada’s broader housing strategy.
Budget 2025: Canada Strong outlines the Government of Canada’s plan to build the major infrastructure, homes, and industries that drive economic growth and long-term prosperity. A key priority of this work is maximizing the use of public lands to accelerate housing development, including through leasing, acquiring additional public lands, and retaining ownership where feasible.