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Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, will lead the Canadian delegation at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow, a major trade exhibition for the aerospace, space and defence industries.
His attendance underscores the importance of Canada’s aerospace industry. In 2017, the industry contributed close to $25 billion to the Canadian economy and employed almost 190,000 Canadians in well-paying middle-class jobs.
At the airshow Bains, together with Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement; Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport; and David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, will meet with a number of key Canadian and international aerospace stakeholders from July 15 to 17, 2018.
Bains will officially inaugurate the Canadian Pavilion at the airshow on Monday, July 16, where he will highlight Canada’s global excellence in the production of civil airplanes, flight simulators, helicopters and engines to potential buyers and position Canadian firms for supply chain integration and investment.
Also on Monday, July 16, ministers Bains, Garneau and Qualtrough will participate in a fireside chat hosted by the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, during which they will promote Canada as a premier destination for global aerospace investment.
“Canada is a global aerospace leader,” said Bains. “In 2017, the industry contributed $25 billion to Canada’s economy and employed 190,000 highly skilled Canadians. Over the last five years, the aerospace industry has become an increasingly important part of our economy, both in terms of its contribution to the overall economy and the number of people it employs. As the vast majority of the products manufactured in Canada are exported, more and more companies from around the world are benefiting from the strength of Canada’s aerospace sector and its workers.”
“Transportation plays a major role in Canada’s economy,” said Garneau.
“Events such as the Farnborough International Airshow give us a great opportunity to stand beside our Canadian companies and meet with key stakeholders in the aerospace industry. I look forward to supporting their efforts in securing business opportunities. Together, we will demonstrate Canada’s knowledge and expertise to the world.”
“Our government recognizes how important our Canadian aerospace industry is, and I am proud to be joining this year’s Canadian delegation heading to the Farnborough International Airshow,” said Qualtrough.
“I look forward to engaging in discussions with potential suppliers and customers from around the world and to demonstrating the opportunities that Canada has to offer.”
“Canada has always punched above its weight in the global aerospace market,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade.
“Thanks to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Canadian companies now have preferential access to the world’s largest aerospace market and even more opportunities to create well-paying, middle-class jobs for Canadians.”
Quick facts
- Canada’s aerospace industry is the number one manufacturing research and development (R&D) player, with an annual investment of $1.7 billion;
- In 2017, close to 75 per cent of aerospace manufactured products were exported;
- The aerospace industry is one of Canada’s leading exporters, with parts, such as engines, avionics and landing gear, making up more than 60 per cent of exports;
- Canada ranks first in the world for the production of civilian flight simulators, second for the production of business and regional aircraft, and first for the production of turboprop and helicopter engines;
- In aerospace manufacturing, employment share in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is three times higher than the manufacturing average and the share of women in STEM has doubled over the past five years;
- The Farnborough International Airshow is a global showcase for the aerospace industry that attracts over 1,500 exhibitors from more than 52 countries. In 2016, orders and commitments made at the show totalled over US$124 billion.
