National Research Council To Supply, Operate CanETREC Facility

The world's aviation industry will benefit from the development of the new Canadian Environmental Test Research and Education Center (CanETREC) in Thompson, thanks to a major investment by the Province of Manitoba and the Government of Canada.

"We are pleased to support this leading edge testing facility," said Manitoba Premier Gary Doer. "Research and innovation are catalysts for new business opportunities and job creation, and this project will help generate new education, training, and job opportunities here in Thompson."

CanETREC will be a year-round research facility that specializes in supporting engine icing certification and research and development of new, more efficient and advanced aerospace designs. Through partnerships with secondary and post-secondary educational institutions, CanETREC will offer a wide variety of aeronautical sciences and aerospace research and maintenance programs to attract, develop and retain qualified professionals within Canada. The testing technology will also be applicable in other sectors, such as bus and automotive manufacturing.

CanETREC will be co-located with industry in a new facility being built by the Global Aerospace Centre for Icing and Environmental Research Inc. (GLACIER).  The state-of-the-art facility is a new joint venture between Rolls-Royce Canada Limited and Pratt & Whitney, to be used for icing certification and research of aviation gas turbine engines for two of the three largest gas turbine manufactures in the world.

"A facility of this magnitude will be a Northern Canadian flagship centre of excellence that will receive global recognition and use, helping to attract and retain students, researchers, and industry so they can conduct leading-edge aerospace research in Thompson," said Vic Toews, President of the Canadian Treasury Board.

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) will supply, own and operate the icing system in GLACIER. It will also be partnering with CanETREC. For more than 50 years,NRC has been a pioneer in the development of icing simulation technology for aircraft engines and wings, as well as ice detection equipment for aircraft and atmospheric measurement of icing conditions.

An investment of $13.4 million from the Government of Canada and of $9.0 million secured, repayable loan from the Province of Manitoba towards this major northern initiative will create value-added economic activities in northern Manitoba as the knowledge and technology developed in Thompson emerge into commercial opportunities.

Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision-making.

FMI: www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca