Sector Supports More Than 4,600 Well-Paying Jobs In The Region

Manitoba has the third largest aerospace cluster in Canada with more than 50 aerospace firms either headquartered or have major centers of operation  and where they provide over 4,600 well–paying middle class jobs.

Today, the Honorable Navdeep Bains (pictured), Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), together with Scott Johnston, Manitoba Member of the Legislative Assembly for St. James, announced $10 million in funding towards four projects to promote innovation, skills development and growth in Manitoba's aerospace industry.

The Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba worked together to identify initiatives designed to secure the future of aerospace in Manitoba. Together these initiatives address new and emerging competitive pressures, while supporting a growth strategy that addresses the challenge to innovate, maintain technological competencies, and improve productivity.

Four projects will benefit from the following investments:

Composites Innovation Centre: $1.8 million to establish a collaborative space at Red River College's Smart Factory to develop, demonstrate, and validate new advanced aerospace composite products and processes.
Magellan Aerospace Limited: $5 million to introduce enhanced aerospace design, production, and technologies to the Manitoba aerospace industry, reinforcing Manitoba's competitive advantage as a leader in the global aerospace supply chain.
West Canitest R&D Inc. (WestCaRD): $1.6 million to expand the range of engine testing capabilities of GE Aviation Test, Research and Development Centre, solidifying Winnipeg as the preferred location for testing of GE engines.
Composites Innovation Center: $1.6 million to administer and deliver the Manitoba Aerospace Fund aimed at supporting product commercialization, process innovation, and business development activities of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the Manitoba aerospace sector.

These projects will lead to the creation of high quality jobs, introduce new product design capabilities and manufacturing technologies, facilitate the introduction of innovative composite manufacturing technologies, and expand engine testing capabilities.

"Our Government's investment in the Canadian aerospace industry builds on our ambitious plan to turn Canada's economic strengths into global successes. These projects support a key economic cluster in Manitoba and across Western Canada that will continue to create the good middle-class jobs of tomorrow," said the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada.

"Manitoba's aerospace sector is globally-competitive and a significant part of our provincial economy. We continue to support the sector's development of a cutting-edge workforce and are pleased to have identified these projects as priorities in building the next generation of advanced manufacturing expertise here in Manitoba," said Scott Johnston, MLA for St. James, on behalf of Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen.

(Source: Western Economic Diversification Canada news release)

FMI: www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/home.asp