OTTAWA, May, 13 2005 — The Government of Canada today announced a federal commitment of financial participation in the CSeries commercial aircraft program, should Bombardier decide to proceed with the project. In providing support to Bombardier, the Government of Canada is ensuring that the project is based in Canada, thereby creating opportunity for firms throughout the industry to participate in this advanced new aircraft series, which would be the largest jet ever built in Canada. The proposed federal support to the CSeries project is a sign of the Government's commitment to advancing the competitiveness of Canada's aerospace industry, and delivering the benefits of the project's substantial industrial activity to Canadians. The Government of Canada will provide a repayable contribution of up to $350 million to support aircraft-related research and development (R&D) projects at Bombardier Aerospace. This funding was accounted for in Budget 2005 and is conditional on Bombardier entering into a final agreement satisfactory to both parties, and proceeding with the project after securing substantial commitments from other project partners in the private sector and other governments. Federal funding for the CSeries project will support R&D by Bombardier to develop the technologies needed for next generation aircraft, and will ensure that if the project proceeds, the Canadian economy and workers will benefit from the development to a significant extent. "Major initiatives like this represent long-term opportunity for Canadian industry, and our proposed support will provide an opportunity not only for Bombardier to develop a new series of aircraft, but will create new and exciting opportunities for aerospace companies across Canada to develop new technologies and enhance their competitiveness in the global aerospace business," said the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry. "Canadian firms play key roles in many existing global aerospace projects, and the Government of Canada will work with companies across the aerospace industry to promote their capabilities to participate with Bombardier in the CSeries." "Securing significant portions of the proposed CSeries project will create jobs, continue Canada's excellence in aircraft manufacturing, and position the industry for sustained success," said the Honourable Jean-C. Lapierre, Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for Quebec. "Today's announcement reflects the importance of this project not simply for Bombardier and its headquarters in Quebec, but for our national aerospace industry, and firms across the country." "The Government of Canada is convinced that Canadians will enjoy significant benefits from the R&D that will be generated, should Bombardier decide to proceed with the CSeries aircraft program," said the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament for Saint-Laurent–Cartierville. Federal support is reflective of the project requirements presented by Bombardier, and amounts to less than 10% of total program development costs. It would be delivered in conjunction with the proposal put forward by the government of Quebec, which would see the aircraft assembled at a new facility to be constructed in the Montreal region. The Government of Canada was equally supportive of the proposals put forward by the governments of Ontario and Quebec. The decision to assemble the aircraft in Quebec was made by Bombardier. Leveraging major initiatives like the CSeries for long-term competitiveness is a key strategic element of Canada's approach to the aerospace industry. Canada is home to many globally competitive leaders in the aerospace industry, which may be selected to participate in the CSeries. Federal support for strategically important initiatives like the CSeries is endorsed by the Canadian Aerospace Partnership, whose membership includes senior executives from aerospace companies across Canada, labour groups and academia, as well as the Government of Canada and five provincial governments. Canada's aerospace industry is in the top four in the world, and is a key element of Canada's economy, employing upwards of 75 000 Canadians, and making substantial contributions to communities across the country. Today's announcement was held as part of the inauguration of the new Aerospace Manufacturing Technology Centre (AMTC), located on the campus of l'Université de Montréal. AMTC's aim is to develop core competencies and demonstrate modern methods of aerospace manufacturing that have the potential for significant cost savings, while also maintaining high levels of quality, reliability and performance. For more information, please contact: Christiane Fox Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson Minister of Industry (613) 995-9001 Irène Marcheterre Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Jean-C. Lapierre Minister of Transport (613) 991-0700 Media Relations Industry Canada (613) 943-2502 André Lamarre Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Stéphane Dion Minister of the Environment (819) 997-1441 Backgrounder Aerospace Manufacturing Technology Centre — Montréal, Quebec The Aerospace Manufacturing Technology Centre (AMTC), located in Montréal, is a new initiative resulting from a partnership between the National Research Council Canada (NRC) and Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. Its aim is to develop core competencies and demonstrate modern methods of aerospace manufacturing technologies that have the potential for significant cost savings, while also maintaining high levels of quality, reliability and performance. The Centre's research and development activities mobilize existing facilities and programs of the Institute for Aerospace Research and other related NRC institutes and programs across Canada to help industry implement advanced manufacturing methods for aerospace. A major focus is to facilitate the transition to next generation manufacturing, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises. The program is being developed to respond to the expressed needs of the Canadian aerospace industry, on four major issues: manufacturing and life-cycle costs environmentally compliant materials, processes and systems strategic intelligence and information management systems human resources development and training. The AMTC accommodates approximately 100 people (including staff and guest workers from industry and universities) distributed between several research groups focusing their efforts on: advanced forming, joining and machining of metallic and composite products process automation and robotics in assembly, surface treatment and inspection of structures process modelling and simulation information systems and virtual manufacturing. Construction of the NRC-AMTC was completed in fall 2004. Staff are now occupying the building and equipment has been installed and commissioned.
