ENFIELD, Nova Scotia, March 26, 2010 — Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament for Cumberland–Colchester–Musquodoboit Valley, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today welcomed the news that Lockheed Martin is providing contracts to businesses in Atlantic Canada worth more than US$252 million as part of its commitments to Canada under the Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) Policy in relation to the C-130J Hercules tactical airlift fleet contract.
Mr. Armstrong, along with representatives of Lockheed Martin, made the announcement at IMP Aerospace Group, a leading Eastern Canadian aerospace firm that will be providing warehousing services, order fulfillment and shipping activities, in addition to other services, for the CC-130J Super Hercules fleet.
“The contract for the Super Hercules fleet is good news for our Canadian aerospace and defence industries and for Atlantic Canada,” said Mr. Armstrong. “The work generated by the acquisition and in-service support contracts for the CC-130J Hercules translates into jobs, investment and access to global value chains for companies across Atlantic Canada.”
This is one of many Lockheed Martin announcements for contracts related to the C-130J Hercules under the IRB commitments. To date, Lockheed Martin has provided eligible work transactions totalling US$1.5 billion in all regions of Canada. The aerospace company will be announcing the remainder of its IRB obligation — for a total of US$2.3 billion — in the ensuing years.
For Atlantic Canada, the US$252 million represents the combined identified acquisition and in-service support contracts to date.
“The investments announced today are just a snapshot of the economic activity that has been generated through our IRB Policy,” said Mr. Armstrong.
These contracts will provide the Canadian Forces with maintenance for its new C-130J aircraft and will generate further high-value work for Canadian industry. The contract for the 17 C-130J aircraft was originally awarded to Lockheed Martin in December 2007. Deliveries of the aircraft fleet to the Canadian Forces are expected to begin in June 2010, six months ahead of schedule.
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
