Ministers Clement and Lebel Celebrate Aerospace Successes and Highlight Government Commitment to Canadian Industry

Ottawa, October 27, 2010 — The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, and the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec) today addressed representatives of Canada's aerospace sector at the 49th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC). The Ministers highlighted the federal government's support for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program and the importance of Canada's aerospace industry to the economy.

"Our government is highly committed to Canada's aerospace industry — a key driver of growth and employment in our country and a sector that generated more than $22 billion in sales last year," said Minister Clement. "Through federal participation in the Joint Strike Fighter program, we are opening doors for our firms while ensuring that our men and women in the Canadian Forces have the right equipment to do their jobs."

Canada's aerospace industry is the fifth largest in the world, boasting 80 000 highly skilled, well-paying jobs at more than 400 firms across the country.

As part of Canada's participation in the JSF program, Canadian firms are pursuing an estimated $12 billion in potential production work for the partner aircraft over the duration of the program. To date, the government has invested approximately $168 million in the JSF initiative, resulting in the awarding of more than $350 million in contracts to Canadian companies, research laboratories and universities.

At the AIAC event, Ministers Clement and Lebel recognized many of these companies, including Avcorp Industries Inc., which is building wing-tip structures in Delta, British Columbia; Bristol Aerospace Limited, which is developing horizontal tail structures in Winnipeg, Manitoba; GasTOPS Ltd., which is working on debris monitoring sensors in Ottawa, Ontario; and Héroux-Devtek, which is manufacturing door uplock mechanisms near Montréal, Quebec.

"With nearly half of Canada's aerospace sector proudly situated in the province of Quebec, the industry has long been one of Quebec's primary economic drivers," said Minister Lebel. "The industry's confidence in our skilled workforce is driving investments, including the new Mirabel Aerospace Centre, which will open next year."

Minister Clement also provided an update on the recent steps the government has taken to ensure that the Canadian aerospace industry remains competitive in the face of an increasingly global marketplace.

In addition to government participation in the JSF program, its Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy is creating significant opportunities for Canadian industry as part of the Canada First Defence Strategy. Other aerospace and defence support includes a $200-million top-up to the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative's budget, and another $200 million for National Research Council Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program — both announced as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Lynn Meahan
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001

Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502