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On behalf of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC), Jean Charest called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to make structural changes to his Federal cabinet, specifically:
- The appointment of a new minister specific to skills development and training to work with industry, education institutions, workers and the provinces to develop a long-term strategy to address the looming labour crunch that will require 50,000 new workers to replace those leaving the aerospace sector in the coming years; and
- Mandate the minister of international trade with a special focus to grow the Canadian aerospace sector internationally.
“If we are to ensure Canadian companies and workers get our share of the $10 trillion aerospace market, it will require a focused effort by both government and industry to encourage, build and maintain a skilled work force. This goes hand in hand with promoting our sector on the world stage,” said Charest.
“Canadian aerospace isn’t competing domestically, the competition is global. It only makes sense that the minister of international trade would use every opportunity to champion our world class industry on the international stage,” continued Charest.
AIAC launched Vision 2025 just over a year ago. Vision 2025 is a pan-Canadian initiative that has started a new dialogue to protect Canadian jobs and secure our future as an international aerospace champion.
AIAC has been travelling across the country for more than a year engaging our members, federal and provincial governments, and the 200,000 employees that depend on aerospace. Thousands attended AIAC’s engagement days including provincial premiers, provincial and federal ministers and representatives from unions, colleges, universities and more. The process resulted in a comprehensive report titled Charting a New Course that outlines the industry’s concerns and recommendations with six key priority areas that require increased government and industry collaboration.
“The aerospace industry is calling on this new government to redouble efforts and make the changes required so Canada can continue to compete, or else jobs will be at risk and our global aerospace position will be in jeopardy,” added Jim Quick, president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada.
