The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, and Mr. Robert E. Brown, President and CEO of CAE, inside a CAE flight simulator.
Source: Normand Cadorette.
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Saint-Laurent, Quebec, March 31, 2009—The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today announced a repayable investment in the development of innovative modelling and simulation technologies in aerospace and defence by CAE Inc. CAE's $714-million project, named "Falcon," will expand the company's technological capabilities by allowing it to develop new simulation tools and products for the civil aviation and defence markets. The project will help CAE to maintain its leadership position in full-flight simulation by increasing innovation and enhancing its competitiveness.
The Government of Canada is making a repayable investment of $250 million in the project, which will allow CAE to improve its existing modelling and simulation technologies to develop simulators for a wider range of aircraft.
"This repayable investment in CAE demonstrates our government's commitment to Canadian research, development and innovation in our aerospace and defence industries,
" said Minister Clement. "The use of virtual simulation technology increases safety for pilots in training. It also reduces air pollution and conserves fuel, protecting our environment.
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"CAE has set the standards in modelling and simulation for the past sixty years, and its leadership is recognized by airlines, aircraft manufacturers and defence forces around the world,
" said Robert E. Brown, President and CEO of CAE. "Innovation is essential for CAE to sustain its leadership position in modelling and simulation. This investment from the Government of Canada will allow CAE to expand its range of products and work to meet the future needs of our international client base.
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This investment is being made through the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI), which supports strategic industrial research and pre-competitive development projects in the aerospace, defence, space and security industries. SADI is managed by the Industrial Technologies Office, a special operating agency of Industry Canada with a mandate to advance leading-edge research and development by Canadian industries.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
Backgrounders
- Minister Clement Announces $250-Million Repayable Investment in Aerospace and Defence Project
- The Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI)
Minister Clement Announces $250-Million Repayable Investment in Aerospace and Defence Project
The Government of Canada is investing $250 million over six years in the development of innovative aircraft simulator systems. CAE Inc., based in the Saint-Laurent district of Montréal, Quebec, will undertake a $714 million research and development project in modelling and simulation.
Flight simulators reduce the need for actual training flights, thereby increasing safety, lowering pilot/crew training costs and reducing environmental impacts. In addition to allowing CAE to invest further in its traditional training markets, this project will enable the company to address new markets such as new types of aircraft, unmanned vehicles and replacement models for current aircraft.
A world leader in simulation and training equipment technologies, CAE uses a collaborative model of technological development that benefits universities. For example, CAE supports Carleton University's Centre for Advanced Studies in Visualization, Simulation and Modelling; employs interns from universities, including Concordia University, McGill University, Université de Montréal and Université du Québec à Montréal; and contributes annually to scholarship programs.
CAE has sites and training locations in 20 countries, has clients in more than 100 countries, and serves approximately 3500 airlines, aircraft operators and manufacturers around the world.
The Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI), launched in April 2007, supports private sector industrial research and pre-competitive development in Canada's aerospace, defence, security and space industries through repayable investments. For more information about SADI, please visit the Industrial Technologies Office website.
The Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI)
The Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative supports strategic industrial research and pre-competitive development (R&D) projects in the aerospace, defence, space and security (A&D) industries.
Launched on April 2, 2007, this new initiative was developed with three key objectives in mind:
- to encourage strategic R&D that will result in innovation and excellence in new products and services;
- to enhance the competitiveness of Canadian A&D companies; and
- to foster collaboration among research institutes, universities, colleges and the private sector.
By investing in strategic R&D projects, SADI contributes to the development of technologies that focus on next-generation products or services, build on Canadian strengths, and enable Canadian companies to participate in major platforms.
SADI is administered with high standards of transparency and accountability by the Industrial Technologies Office. All project applications undergo extensive evaluation using a clear and rigorous process with published assessment criteria. These criteria include the company's ability to achieve the stated objectives, the project's technology benefits, and the expected social and economic benefits.
All Canadians receive value from SADI's contributions through the technological and economic benefits that result from supported R&D projects. These benefits include spinoffs in diverse sectors of the economy, such as nanotechnology and information technology, as well as the development of collaborative partnerships with universities, colleges and research institutions. Contributions to R&D made through SADI will also contribute to high-quality employment opportunities, strengthen Canada's workforce with talented scientists, engineers and researchers, and leverage private sector investments in R&D.
Canada's A&D industries are recognized around the world for producing leading-edge products and services. Domestically, these industries are important economic drivers in all regions of the country and are collectively significant players in the development of Canada's knowledge-based economy. Among the world leaders, Canada's A&D industries offer competitive and innovative solutions and are backed by a highly skilled workforce.
The Industrial Technologies Office is a Special Operating Agency of Industry Canada, with a mandate to advance leading-edge R&D by Canadian industries.