The Government of Canada is helping to grow Western Canada's emerging unmanned vehicle systems (UVS) sector through an investment that aims to improve competitiveness and productivity for the industry.
Federal funding of $900,000 was announced today by the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification.
"The Government of Canada recognizes the tremendous potential of Western Canada's unmanned vehicle systems industry to commercialize new applications and create opportunities for economic growth and diversification," said Minister Solberg. "Today's investment strengthens southern Alberta's position as a leader in this high-technology sector and will provide local firms with a cost-effective way of testing and developing new technologies."
The investment will help the Canadian Centre for Unmanned Vehicle System (CCUVS) purchase a high performance launcher for evaluating new aerial technologies. Unmanned aerial vehicles are unpiloted, remotely controlled aircraft that can be equipped to perform a variety of tasks. Besides military applications, there is a diverse range of commercial and public safety applications, including security/police surveillance and mapping.
The President and CEO of CCUVS, Don Matthews stated, "This is a leading edge Canadian initiative that will promote and enhance the UAV capabilities in Canada. It provides a unique cost effective launching service that will be beneficial to the Canadian UVS sector and beyond."
As a result of this investment, Canadian and international companies and organizations will be able to test and develop unmanned aerial vehicles using the launcher on a fee for service basis. This service, which will be the first of its kind in Canada, is expected to improve competitiveness and productivity for companies by eliminating the high costs of having to purchase their own equipment.
The Canadian Centre for Unmanned Vehicle Systems is based in Medicine Hat, the riding of the Honourable Monte Solberg. The Centre is a not-for-profit organization that is striving to be the design, development, testing, evaluating and commercialization hub for Canada's unmanned vehicle systems industry. The Centre's vision is to facilitate the sustained growth of the unmanned vehicle systems industry in southern Alberta and across Canada. The launcher will be located and operated primarily at the Experimental Proving Grounds of Canadian Forces Base Suffield.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy as well as to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.
For additional information, contact:
Pierre Floréa
Director of Communications
Office of the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification
613-943-1838
Sterling T. Cripps
Vice President, Marketing and Program Development
Canadian Centre for Unmanned Vehicle Systems
Telephone: (403) 488-7224
Cell: (403) 952-6404
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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