AIAC Congratulates New Federal Cabinet
November 20, 2019Calls for Implementation of Vision 2025’s Six Key Recommendations
“Prime Minister Trudeau, the aerospace industry has a plan that is supported by all major opposition parties as well as your government – now that your cabinet is in place we call upon you to move the Vision 2025 plan forward.”
OTTAWA (ONTARIO) – Jim Quick, President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, today issued the following statement in response to the swearing-in of the new federal cabinet:
“On behalf of Canada’s more than 215,000 aerospace employees, the AIAC Board and our members, I would like to congratulate the new members of the federal cabinet. As a significant contributor to the Canadian economy, our industry looks forward to working closely with all new Ministers on the implementation of the six key recommendations outlined in our Vision 2025 report. We know that with a willing partner in government, our industry will bring more jobs to Canada while building on the more than $25 billion we already contribute to the economy.
“Canadian aerospace isn’t competing domestically, the competition is global. We look forward to working with Minister Ng to develop an international plan that ensures Canadian companies and workers can compete for our share of the $10 trillion global aerospace market.
“We are pleased to see Minister Qualtrough in a new portfolio dedicated to workforce development. Minister Qualtrough knows and understands our industry. Working together we can address the impending labour crunch – bringing together government, opposition parties, industry and workers to encourage, build and maintain the skilled workforce required to replace those set to retire.
“We are ready to work constructively with this Government and minority parliament using our Vision 2025 report as the roadmap moving forward. The aerospace industry is calling on this new government to redouble efforts and implement the six key recommendations so Canada can continue to compete. If they don’t, jobs will be at risk and our global aerospace position will be in jeopardy.”
About Vision 2025:
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 Six Key Priorities are:
- Building the most skilled and talented workforce in the world;
- Ensuring small and medium-sized aerospace businesses thrive and grow;
- Using innovation to capture new opportunities, including carbon-neutral flight and unmanned vehicles;
- Investing to maintain Canada’s status as a world-class regulator;
- Leveraging Canada’s role at the forefront of space;
- Maximizing defence procurement and government partnerships to drive new industrial growth.
About AIAC:
AIAC is the national association representing Canada’s aerospace manufacturing and services sector. As the world’s fifth-largest aerospace industry, Canada’s aerospace sector contributes nearly $25B to the economy in GDP, exports 75% of its output, and dedicates over 20% of its activity to research and development (R&D). Aerospace is responsible for the employment of 215,000 Canadians.
More details on VISION 2025 are available at www.aiac.ca/vision2025 (English) or www.aiac.ca/fr/vision2025 (French)
Media contact:
Christine Csversko
Manager, Communications and Marketing
ccsversko@aiac.ca
613-232-4297 x235