December 19, 2008
Edmonton, Alberta
Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced today a $50,000 investment towards a new database launched by the Aviation Alberta Association. The funding will create more opportunities for local aerospace and aviation industries to market their services to international markets.
"This Government is proud to stand up for our aerospace and aviation industries and provide them with the competitive edge they need in order to succeed," said MP Hawn. "Our investment enables the aerospace and aviation industries to promote their capabilities and leadership to international businesses."
The database is comprised of information on Alberta's aerospace, defence and civil aviation private sector companies. A comprehensive online tool, the database will provide visitors from around the world with up-to-date information on Alberta organizations across eight different industry categories in the aviation and aerospace sector. The database will be housed and accessible on the Alberta First Internet portal.
"The demand for the products and services offered by Alberta aerospace and aviation companies is increasing on a global basis," said Ken Beleshko, Executive Director of the Aviation Alberta Association. "This major initiative places Alberta's aerospace and aviation industries in full view of the world marketplace."
Aviation Alberta works closely with its members and partners to help further the interests of the aerospace, aviation and airports community within Alberta. Their vision is to be a catalyst for industry growth and the recognized voice of aerospace, airport and aviation interests in Alberta.
This project, funded through WD's Western Diversification Program (WDP), aligns with WD's focus on developing a competitive and expanded business sector in Western Canada and a strengthened western Canadian innovation system. WD's $50,000 investment contributes towards total project costs of $126,000.
Western Economic Diversification Canada in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities promotes the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision-making.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Phone: (780) 495-6892
Cell: (780) 991-7432
Ken Beleshko
Executive Director
Aviation Alberta Association
Phone: (780) 756 - 4450
Cell: (780) 983-2500
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD.
Backgrounder
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)
- WD contributed $50,000 towards the Aviation Alberta Association to launch a comprehensive, web-based, Alberta aerospace industry database.
- WD works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision-making.
- WD's investments, made through its Western Diversification Program (WDP), support the department's priorities to facilitate innovation, promote a competitive and expanded business sector and increase community economic development.
- The underlying objective of the WDP is to create a stronger West and a stronger Canada. Several guiding principles are used to help assess how initiatives contribute to this objective, including:
- increased economic activity that improves the viability, prosperity, and standard of living for individuals and communities across Western Canada.
- increased economic research in the areas of community economic development, leading-edge technologies and entrepreneurship to provide a sound base for economic development in areas of importance to Western Canada.
- Other elements that are considered when determining the relative merit of proposals include: the measurable impact on the western Canadian economy, viability, long-term benefits, and the participation of other stakeholders.
Aviation Alberta Association
- Aviation Alberta is the sole recognized not-for-profit representative body for various aerospace and aviation industry concerns in the Province of Alberta. Their vision is to be a catalyst for industry growth and the recognized voice of aerospace, airport and aviation interests in Alberta.
- Aviation Alberta is a western Canadian regional association that works closely with its members, industry partners, government and military agencies to help further the interests of those involved in the Aviation, Aerospace, Airports and UVS (unmanned vehicle systems) industry sectors.
- Aviation Alberta has over 250 members representing virtually every aspect of the aviation, aerospace and airport business, including commercial and military aircraft repair, overhaul, design modification and manufacturing, to unmanned vehicle technology, advanced electronics communications, to corporate and commercial aviation, flying training and more. This integrated association approach represents a collective strength in world-class technologies, products, services and capabilities.
