Montréal, Quebec, September 27, 2012 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced the Government of Canada’s participation in the development of the Quebec aerospace industry.
“The Government of Canada is working with the aerospace industry to ensure it remains solid, globally competitive, and at the forefront of technological development,” stated Minister Lebel.
Three commercial enterprises and one non-profit organization (Messier-Dowty Inc., Shockform Aéronautique Inc., Delastek Inc. and Aéro Montréal) will thus receive financial assistance to carry out four projects that will help promote and showcase the know-how of the Quebec and Canadian aerospace industry.
Quebec’s aerospace sector is well-positioned on the world stage. In 2011, enterprises in the sector posted total sales of more than $11.7 billion, 80% of it on export markets. These Quebec companies employed 42,000 people and accounted for 55% of the national industrial activity.
“There is no question that the Canadian and Quebec aerospace and defence industries are driving forces of innovation in this country. Those that continue to innovate will lead us into the economy of the future. The Government of Canada recognizes the key importance of these industries and of the contribution they make to the Canadian economy,” the Minister added.
“We thank the Government of Canada for its support of this project, which will allow us to maintain our position as a centre of excellence within the Safran Group and thereby develop the world’s leading landing gear right here in Canada,” said Stéphane Salvignol, General Manager of Messier-Dowty Inc. Montréal.
“Thanks to this assistance from the Government of Canada, Shockform will be in a position to increase its presence on international markets by introducing new and innovative patented tools for critical parts repair in the aerospace sector,” noted Sylvain Forgues, President of Shockform Aéronautique Inc.
“This financial support will enable us to increase our competitiveness and presence on domestic and foreign markets,” added Claude Lessard, President of Delastek Inc.
“With this funding from the Government of Canada, the 30 companies in the Aéro Montréal MACH Initiative will be able to take part in international aerospace trade shows. This will give them increased visibility and the opportunity to showcase their world-class know-how to major contractors,” concluded Suzanne Benoît, President and CEO of Aéro Montréal, Quebec’s aerospace cluster.
The financial assistance announced today, granted through Canada Economic Development’s Business and Regional Growth program, consists of three repayable and one non-repayable contributions totalling over $5.7 million. It will go towards supporting an overall investment of $69 million and help strengthen the assets of the Quebec aerospace industry.
For further details on the four projects, see the backgrounder associated to this press release:
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Media Relations
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-283-8818
E-mail: media@dec-ced.gc.ca
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
E-mail: genevieve.sicard@tc.gc.ca
Aéro Montréal
Suzanne Benoit
Tel.: 514-987-9331
Delastek Inc.
Lucie Mc Cutcheon, c.a.
819-533-5788, ext. 244
Shockform Aéronautique Inc.
Sylvain Forgues
Tel.: 450-430-8000
Messier-Dowty Inc.
Stéphane Salvignol
Tel.: 450-434-3400, ext. 302
