Montréal, Quebec, February 27, 2012—Today, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, pledged continued government support of Canada's aerospace and space sectors and officially launched the Review of Aerospace and Space Programs and Policies.
"The Harper Government is focusing on what matters to Canadians—job creation and economic growth," said Minister Paradis. "Canadian aerospace and space sectors are leaders in their fields, and our government wants to ensure that they continue to create quality jobs across the country today and in the future. This comprehensive review will examine how we can maximize our efforts, together with industry, to sustain Canada's leadership position."
The review will explore how government, industry and other key stakeholders can address the key issues facing the aerospace and space sectors, such as innovation, market access and development, skills development, procurement, and supplier development. The review is part of Canada's Economic Action Plan to create jobs and promote economic growth across the country.
The Honourable David L. Emerson, P.C., O.B.C., will head the review and will report his findings to the Minister of Industry in late 2012.
"I am pleased to announce that Mr. Emerson has accepted to lead this important initiative," said Minister Paradis. "He brings a tremendous wealth of knowledge and expertise and is very familiar with the two sectors being reviewed."
A three-member advisory council will assist Mr. Emerson in fulfilling his mandate as head of the review. The appointed council members are Ms. Sandra Pupatello, Mr. Jim Quick and Dr. Jacques Roy.
According to the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, Canada's aerospace and space industries generate annual revenues of $22 billion and employ nearly 80,000 Canadians in high-paying jobs at more than 400 firms across the country.
For more information on the Review of Aerospace and Space Programs and Policies, please visit the Aerospace Review website.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Richard Walker
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Christian Paradis
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
Backgrounder
Review of Aerospace and Space Programs and Policies
In Budget 2011, the Government of Canada announced its commitment to review all policies and programs related to the aerospace and space industries in order to develop a federal policy framework to maximize the competitiveness of these sectors.
The review will study the key issues facing these sectors, such as innovation, market access and development, skills development, procurement, and supplier development.
The review will involve industry and other key stakeholders and examine the following:
- the long-term goals of the Canadian aerospace and space sectors;
- the recent and anticipated future trends in the global and domestic aerospace and space sectors and how these trends could impact the Canadian industry;
- the key opportunities and major challenges for the Canadian industry; and
- the strengths and weaknesses of the Canadian industry.
The head of the review will provide recommendations to the Government of Canada on programs and policies that support the long-term competitiveness of the aerospace and space sectors. His report is to be delivered to the government in late 2012. A three-member advisory council will assist with the review.
Support of the aerospace and space industries
Since the 2007-08 fiscal year, the government has supported the aerospace and space industries as follows:
- leveraging its defence and security procurement activities through the Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy to provide economic benefits to Canada;
- announcing up to $350 million in repayable contributions to Bombardier Aerospace for research and development (R&D) related to the CSeries aircraft;
- providing R&D funding through the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative, which builds on previous investments made through Technology Partnerships Canada;
- providing funding of approximately $14 million over four years to support the Green Aviation Research and Development Network, one of the Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence;
- providing funding through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to support strategic investments in the aerospace industry's capabilities in science and technology;
- providing an additional $200 million over two years (Budget 2009) to National Research Council Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program, enabling the Council to temporarily expand its initiatives for small and medium-sized businesses while also supporting its ongoing work to aid the Canadian aerospace industry with R&D;
- providing funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation to support innovation in the aerospace industry;
- providing funding for space robotics and the development of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, a system of remote sensing satellites; and
- supporting Canadian participation at the Paris and Farnborough international air shows.
Aerospace Review Head
The Honourable David L. Emerson, P.C., O.B.C.
Aerospace Review Head
Mr. Emerson has had a wide-ranging career spanning more than 40 years in the public and private sectors, and as a Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister.
Mr. Emerson began his career at the Economic Council of Canada in 1972. He joined the Government of British Columbia in 1975, where he held various senior policy positions including Deputy Minister of Finance, Secretary to Treasury Board, Deputy Minister to the Premier and Secretary to Cabinet.
In 1986, Mr. Emerson moved to the private sector and became the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Western and Pacific Bank of Canada. Following a merger, he became Chairman and CEO of Canadian Western Bank. In 1992, he served as the President and CEO of the Vancouver International Airport Authority, and then became President and CEO of Canfor Corporation in 1998.
Mr. Emerson was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and was named Minister of Industry. He was re-elected in 2006 and served as Minister of International Trade with responsibility for the 2010 Winter Olympics and the Pacific Gateway Initiative. In 2008, he was named Minister of Foreign Affairs. He retired from elected office in October 2008.
Since leaving public office, Mr. Emerson has continued his work in the public and private sectors. From 2009 to 2011 he was the Chair of the Alberta Premier's Council for Economic Strategy. Mr. Emerson currently sits on several private-sector boards of directors and since 2009 he has been Co-Chair of the Prime Minister's Advisory Committee on the Public Service. He is also a member of the International Advisory Council of the China Investment Corporation, China's sovereign wealth fund.
Mr. Emerson attended the University of Alberta where he obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees in economics. He obtained his doctorate in economics at Queen's University in 1975.
Advisory Council Members
Ms. Sandra Pupatello
Council Member
Born and raised in Windsor Ontario, Sandra Pupatello may be best known as Ontario's longest serving Minister of Economic Development and Trade. Serving as Ontario's Chief Investment Officer from 2006-2011, her Ministry became ranked the number one agency in North America for economic development (2011), and the top ranking jurisdiction for FDI in North America (2011).
Pupatello led numerous business missions in worldwide markets, and worked in key sectors including manufacturing, financial services, information communication technology, clean tech and energy. Pupatello also served as Ontario's Minister of Education and Community and Social Services. She represented the Windsor area for 16 years in the Ontario Legislature.
Today, she serves as Director of Business Development and Global Markets for PricewaterhouseCoopers, based out of Toronto, Canada.
Mr. Jim Quick
Council Member
Jim has been appointed President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) in June 2011.
Prior to coming to the AIAC he was President of Canadian Paint and Coatings Association (CPCA) where he led the transformation of CPCA from a traditional issues-based association to a leading-edge analytical-based organization. His 300 Days of Change program is considered a leading edge association change management strategy.
Before joining CPCA, Jim was Assistant Deputy Minister of corporate communications with the government of New Brunswick (GNB). While in that capacity, he led the creation of Communications New Brunswick the corporate communications arm of the government.
Jim also spent time at a regional healthcare corporation where he help transform the organization from one of crisis to one of the Top 100 Canadian companies to work according to MacLean's Magazine.
Jim also has experience in the political world as a senior political and policy advisor to four federal cabinet ministers. In that role he negotiated and directed positions and policies on several high-profile national and international files. He has also served as an advisor for two provincial premiers.
He is the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal awarded to Canadians who made a significant contribution to their fellow citizens, their community, and to Canada.
Dr. Jacques Roy
Council Member
Dr. Roy is a full professor and Director of the Department of Logistics and Operations Management at HEC Montreal where he is also Director of the Carrefour logistique, auniversity-industry forum on Supply Chain Management and Director of the research group CHAÎNE that is conducting research activities in the field of Supply Chain Management. He was also Director, Research and Publication and Director, Training, at the Montreal based International Aviation Management Training Institute. As such, Dr. Roy participated actively in the design and delivery of Airline, Airport and Civil Aviation Management Courses aimed at middle and senior managers from all over the world. He was also responsible for conducting several aviation management related projects.
Professor Roy graduated with a B.Sc. from the Royal Military College in Saint-Jean and completed his education with an M.B.A. and a Ph.D. in Business Administration at École des Hautes Études Commerciales de Montréal, (now HEC Montréal). Prior to his teaching career, Dr. Roy was employed as an aerospace engineering officer with the Canadian Armed Forces. He also possesses many years of experience as a management consultant with several large Canadian corporations and governmental organizations. His expertise lies in the areas of logistics and transportation management. Dr. Roy has authored several articles and publications in this subject area, and has participated in many conferences at both national and international levels. He is regularly invited to teach in the Aerospace MBA program offered by Toulouse Business School.
