Investing in New Technology to Keep Canadians Safe

News Release

Harper Government invests in new surveillance and targeting technology that will support Canada's defence, security and public safety

March 23, 2015 – Burlington, Ontario – Industry Canada

Industry Minister James Moore today announced an important investment that will help keep Canadians safe. Minister Moore made the announcement at L-3 WESCAM headquarters in Burlington, Ontario, where he was joined by representatives from partner suppliers and universities. This meaningful investment in the company will support its R&D of new high-tech air, land and sea surveillance cameras and sensors that are essential to Canada's defence, security, and search and rescue operations.

The Harper Government's investment will lead to the creation of new high-paying, high-tech jobs across southern Ontario's defence manufacturing supply chain, in addition to maintaining 200 existing positions in Burlington and Don Mills.

WESCAM will invest $2 million in collaborating with Canadian universities and colleges to help train Canada's future security and defence technology workforce.

The company will partner with over 60 suppliers from across Ontario for this project.

Quick facts

L-3 WESCAM is Canada's largest manufacturing defence company for advanced airborne imaging and sensors, and it is a leader in defence, surveillance, and search and rescue applications.
WESCAM's cameras have played a significant role in countering insurgency in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2005.
In 2014, a Transport Canada aircraft equipped with a WESCAM heat sensor was instrumental in the capture of the gunman responsible for the death of three members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Moncton, New Brunswick.
WESCAM surveillance equipment has also been used along Canada's border with the United States to intercept drug traffickers attempting to cross between the two countries.
Through the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI), the Government of Canada is making a repayable contribution of $75 million to L-3 WESCAM to support its R&D.
The Harper Government's investment will leverage an additional $113-million investment in Canada's economy from WESCAM.
In 2013, Canada's aerospace and defence industry was responsible for more than 172,000 jobs and contributed $28 billion to the economy. The defence component of that industry employs more than 63,000 highly skilled workers and generates more than $9.4 billion in revenue each year.

Quotes

"WESCAM surveillance and targeting technology has been used to help police forces conduct manhunts and track marijuana grow ops here in Canada. Abroad, Canadian armed forces have used similar aerial systems during Canada's 10-year mission in Afghanistan to capture high-value targets. Today, Canadian forces continue to support the fight against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant insurgents using WESCAM technology. Our government is proud to invest in a renowned defence, security and public safety company that will continue to develop new technology needed to help counter terrorism and keep Canadians safe."
– Industry Minister James Moore

"This is great news for our community. By supporting WESCAM's R&D, our government is helping the company expand its market reach, partner with talented researchers and create high-quality jobs. This investment means new economic opportunities in Burlington and across southern Ontario."
– Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament for Burlington

"L-3 WESCAM is very proud to be selected for this key investment by the Government of Canada. We plan to use the contribution to grow our defence, security and public safety products across air, land and sea domains."
– John Dehne, President, L-3 WESCAM

"Canadian aerospace companies like WESCAM are on the cutting edge of technologies that are key to our security, safety and sovereignty. We are very pleased to see programs such as SADI supporting the important work our industry is doing. AIAC congratulates L-3 WESCAM on this investment and thanks the Government for its ongoing support of the Canadian aerospace and defence industry."
– Jim Quick, President and CEO, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC)

"Camera and sensor technologies are an integral part of Canadian command, control and communications capabilities and are essential to the defence and security of our country. These technologies also advance science and technology for civilian and commercial applications to the benefit of all Canadians. CADSI congratulates L-3 WESCAM and the Government on this significant investment in research and development. These investments demonstrate a healthy partnership between industry and government that fuels Canadian innovation, creates high-value Canadian jobs, and leverages the strength of the Canadian defence and security industrial sector."
– Christyn Cianfarani, President, Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI)

Associated links

Contacts

Jake Enwright
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Industry
343-291-2500

Media Relations
Industry Canada
343-291-1777
media-relations@ic.gc.ca

Search for related information by keyword

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Economics and Industry

Page details

2016-12-14

We have archived this page and will not be updating it.

We have archived this page and will not be updating it.

Investing in New Technology to Keep Canadians Safe

News Release

Page details