For immediate release
CALGARY, Alberta, October 17, 2010 – The Government of Canada today awarded a contract to Harris Canada Inc. in Calgary to provide avionics maintenance for CF-18 fighter jets until Canada's next generation fighter capability becomes operational. The announcement was made by the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and the Minister for Status of Women and the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence.
"This announcement is another example of the Government of Canada's support for the Canadian aerospace industry, and our commitment to creating jobs in a region with important aerospace capabilities," said Minister Ambrose. "This contract will support high quality jobs in Calgary, and help to maintain our CF-18s for the duration of their flying years."
"Our Government is committed to providing the Canadian Forces with the tools and equipment they need to defend our sovereignty at home and perform their missions abroad," said Minister MacKay. "With this contract award, Canada maintains its fighter capability in order to meet national and global missions until Canada's next generation fighter, the F-35 Lightning II, takes to the skies."
The scope of this competitively won contract extends through the repair, overhaul, engineering, management and life-cycle support of the nearly 2,300 components that make up the electronic systems on board each of these jets. The contract, valued at $273,777,000, has a lifespan of up to nine years, which will ensure that the CF-18 fleet is expertly serviced through the year 2020, at which time it will be retired and replaced by a fleet of F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft.
On an annual basis, over 40 full-time positions will be maintained in Calgary, Alberta, for the period of the contract.
"This is great news for dozens of workers in Calgary, and will help to strengthen the aerospace industry in the region for years to come," said the Minister of Environment and Regional Minister for Southern Alberta, Jim Prentice.
- 30 -
Ce texte est également disponible en français.
For further information, media should contact:
Rebecca Thompson
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
819-956-9549
Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315
Department of National Defence
Media Relations: 613-996-2353 or 1-866-377-0811
Industry Canada
Media Relations: 613-943-2502
PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html.
