AIAC’s technical committees are central to the AIAC’s policy and advocacy functions. Members of these committees provide industry insights and guidance with respect to issues related to specific industry segments or topics of concern or interest. Each committee is chaired by a member of the AIAC board and staffed by an AIAC executive. Membership on these committees is open to AIAC members and partners only. To join any of these committees, please contact the AIAC staff lead indicated for that committee.
Civil Aviation Committee (CAC)
Chair: Pierre Pyun, Vice President, Government Relations, Bombardier
AIAC Staff Lead: Dave Turnbull, Special Advisor, Civil Aviation, AIAC
Committee Mandate
The Civil Aviation Committee considers issues regarding domestic and international aviation safety and certification regulations. The CAC will communicate regularly with representatives of Transport Canada, Civil Aviation (TCCA), including at the Director General (DG) and Director levels. External and internal subject experts including TCCA representatives will be invited to present updates on relevant and ongoing topics such as bilateral agreements, systematic certification issues, rulemaking and guidance material consultations including Gazette I submissions, and international news and proceedings. The CAC will also be the primary interface on aviation issues and standards with AIAC’s international counterparts (AIA, GAMA, FEMIA, ICAO etc.).
The Committee will aim to advance the Canadian aviation industry position with the Canadian government and among international partners through the development and communication of industry position papers and responses to open government consultations on pertinent topics. It will also aim to ensure that aviation regulations, standards and guidance material offer consistent interpretation and application in national and international contexts, enables level playing field for the Canadian aerospace industry in the global market, and continues to foster Canadian airworthiness certification excellence.
Objectives and Responsibilities
The Civil Aviation Committee and its Membership will, at a minimum, hold the following responsibilities:
- Monitor Canadian and international advancements and implementations pertaining to aviation, aircraft certification and safety, manufacturing, and maintenance
- Assess international proceedings, meetings, news, and papers and contributing to the Canadian perspective and stance through ICCAIA participation
- Maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with TCCA and its representatives regarding ongoing consultations and other pertinent updates
- Provide feedback to TCCA and other open consultations through collective voice papers and advocacy of the Association
- Engage with additional industry, government, and other stakeholders to advance advocacy conversations with a broader audience
Technology and Innovation Committee, Aviation (TICA)
Chair: Phil Cole, Vice President, Business Development, Marinvent
AIAC Staff Lead: Dwayne Lucas, Vice President, Special Projects, AIAC
Committee Mandate
The Technology and Innovation Committee turns its focus to the future of the aerospace industry by considering the development and implementation of future technologies as well as the regulatory and economic factors that may impact these advancements. This Committee will also provide thought leadership on innovation policy and programming through engagements and advocacy with various government departments including ISED (Innovation, Science, and Economic Development), DRDC (Defence Research and Development Canada) and the NRC (National Research Council Canada), among other important entities.
The TICA group will aim to promote Canadian technological capabilities and focuses with the Canadian government and other stakeholders through open letters framing the industry position and recommendations. These types of engagements and feedback will assist in aligning the Canadian industry and government and strategizing the way forward for the aerospace industry.
Objectives and Responsibilities
The Technology and Innovation Committee and its Membership will, at a minimum, hold the following responsibilities:
- Analyze aerospace innovation policy and technological trends in Canada and internationally, and provide recommendation and industry position to government where necessary
- Identify and discuss aerospace technological capabilities and determine appropriate priorities for the membership and industry
- Facilitate and participate in strategic roundtable conversations with government officials to influence wider consultation and policy discussion
- Foster industry collaboration across Canada through the operation of subcommittee groups on various topics of priority
Public Procurement and Defence Committee (PPDC)
Chair: Kevin Lemke, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Cascade Aerospace
AIAC Staff Lead: Dwayne Lucas, Vice President, Special Projects, AIAC
Committee Mandate
The Public Procurement and Defence Committee is the focal AIAC forum for members engaging in defence-specific operations, providing engagements with key government departments who are stakeholders in aerospace and defence procurement.This Committee will also work closely with the TICA group to evaluate upcoming and ongoing procurement programs, beginning with pre-RFI consultations as well as providing industry considerations through the RFI and RFP processes to assist in shaping the procurement process.
The PPDC will engage regularly with prime government stakeholders such as PSPC (Public Service and Procurement Canada), DND (Department of National Defence), and ISED (Innovation, Science, and Economic Development), among others. These engagements and the consolidated industry feedback that results from them will aim to address and inform the procurement approach to best suit the industry as a whole.
Objectives and Responsibilities
The Public Procurement and Defence Committee and its Membership will, at a minimum, hold the following responsibilities:
- Remain up to date on current and upcoming government procurement programs, and engage with the appropriate contracting departments to provide industry sentiment on a program-by-program basis
- Address challenges related to doing business with the government, during the procurement process as well as in the contract phase
- Engage with the DIAG (Defence Industry Advisory Group), SAC (Supplier Advisory Committee), and CADSI (Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries) to maintain and elevate defence sector collaboration and alignment
- Evaluate the efficacy of current and emerging procurement policies, including ITB (Industrial and Technological Benefits) Policy, and their implications on the sector
- Increasing the level of government awareness of how procurement practices affect the industry contractually and operationally
- Arranging educational sessions and information for presentation at Committee meetings and for broad industry distribution
Space Committee
Chair: Aaron Spaans, Business Development Manager, ABB Space & Defence Systems
AIAC Staff Lead: Rick Pitre, Special Advisor – Space, AIAC
Committee Mandate
The AIAC Space Committee addresses industry and government subjects specifically filtering subject matter through a Canadian Space lens. International advancements in the space realm and their implications on the Canadian space market, along with the contributions being domestically sourced will largely drive the conversations of this group. The Committee will look to prioritize the awareness, understanding, and thereby the advancement of the Space sector.
The Space Committee will work with government allies, such as the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), DND (Department of National Defence), and ISED (Innovation, Science, and Economic Development) to broaden the scope of the aerospace umbrella and develop a voice for space-specific industry contributors. Additionally, the group will work to advance government sentiment and funding commitments to the industry.
Objectives and Responsibilities
The Space Committee and its Membership will, at a minimum, hold the following responsibilities:
- Broaden and strengthen industry, government, and public understanding of the space industry and the potential positive impact on the Canadian economy and daily life
- Provide ongoing analysis and expert advice to the Association with respect to international technological and political advancements and international trade development initiatives
- Analyze aerospace policy from a uniquely space perspective, and make considerations respecting space innovation, economics, and sovereignty
- Make clear the need for a Canadian Strategy for Space, working to develop the framework and roadmap towards achieving such a strategy
Sustainability Committee
Chair: Scott Goobie, Fellow, Product Integration & Product Environmental Performance, Engineering R&T, Bombardier
AIAC Staff Lead: Louis-Charles Roy, Vice President, Public Affairs and Government Relations, AIAC
Committee Mandate
The Sustainability Committee leads the conversation on aerospace environmental considerations as well as sustainability and greening efforts taking place across the aviation, space, and defence sectors. As net-zero goals for aviation are targeted around the globe and implications of climate change on the nature and delivery of space operations and continental defence are considered, the Sustainability group will provide a forum to discuss and explore these important considerations.
The Committee will provide forward-looking expertise and thought leadership on the technologies and government policies that are under consideration or being implemented to address aerospace sustainability goals, in addition to working to drive conversations surrounding a national aerospace sustainability agenda and roadmap. The group will also follow and contribute to the sustainability conversations taking place within Canadian government as well as internationally.
Objectives and Responsibilities
The Sustainability Committee and its Membership will, at a minimum, hold the following responsibilities:
- Monitor national and global sustainability developments across aviation, space, and defence, giving consideration specifically to future technologies and the policies enabling them
- Assess and discuss the applicability and efficacy of Transport Canada’s Aviation Climate Action Plan, working with TC to further develop and achieve the plan
- Observe and contribute to international forums on sustainable aviation, namely those taking place at ICAO, via ICCAIA.
- Foster the development of a Canadian aerospace sustainability roadmap and strategy, highlighting domestic capabilities for contributing to the efforts in greening the industry
- Engage and collaborate with existing sustainability-driven ecosystems in Canada, including C-SAF
Small Business Committee (SME)
Chair:
AIAC Staff Lead: Louis-Charles Roy, Vice President, Public Affairs and Government Relations, AIAC
Committee Mandate
The Small Business Committee is the primary forum for members under the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) umbrella dealing in aerospace, defence, and space business in Canada. The Committee will tackle issues and conversations unique to smaller companies such as supply chain management, SME procurement, scaling-up, digital transformation and labour market considerations.
The Small Business Committee will engage with government entities including ISED (Innovation, Science and Economic Development), PSPC (Public Service and Procurement Canada), and GAC (Global Affairs Canada) regarding SME-specific funding programs, services, and policies. The group will also support the other technical committees in their respective work, providing the small business perspective and voice.
Objectives and Responsibilities
The SME Committee and its Membership will, at a minimum, hold the following responsibilities:
- Provide a forum for open discussion on SME concerns, struggles, and needs, focusing on both continuous topics as well as ad hoc issues
- Analyze and respond to procurement, economic, and international trade policies affecting SMEs, working to ensure inclusion and friendliness towards aerospace SMEs
- Ensure a collective speaking voice is constructed for the broader aerospace industry context
- Highlight the SME perspective at AIAC forums, events, and through industry consultations
Market Access Committee
Chair:
AIAC Staff Lead: Louis-Charles Roy, Vice President, Public Affairs and Government Relations, AIAC
Committee Mandate
The Market Access Committee will take the lead on subjects touching international trade development, import and export regulations, and aerospace market concerns. The group will engage with government entities including GAC (Global Affairs Canada) and the TSC (Trade Commissioner Service) to stay up to date with and discuss policy advancements and available government services impacting the primary topics. The Committee will also consider collaborations with the Association’s international counterparts, including AIA (Aerospace Industries Association, US) and FEMIA (Federación Mexicana de la Industria Aeroespacial, Mexico), among others.
The Market Access Committee will work to address ongoing market concerns and regulations as well as ad hoc issues that may arise from global or national events or proceedings in the aerospace realm. The group will provide insight into the global aerospace landscape, identifying avenues for potential focus and areas in which Canadian players may find success.
Objectives and Responsibilities
The Market Access Committee and its Membership will, at a minimum, hold the following responsibilities:
- Analyze export controls regulations and identify any current issues pertaining to export permits
- Support the Association with expert advice on international market development, trade barriers, global economic pressures, and emerging markets
- Provide recommendation to the Government of Canada respecting the structure and promotion of Canadian aerospace on the global stage
- Engage with and take advantage of international programming to assist in the development of the industry