Written by AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
Monday, 27 February 2012
The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) and its member companies are very pleased with the appointment of the Honourable David L. Emerson as Head of the Aerospace Review – a process aimed at developing a federal policy framework to maximize the competitiveness of Canada’s aerospace industry.
“Mr. Emerson is a seasoned leader and strategic thinker. His impressive experience in public policy development acquired as the head of various public organizations, his private sector background, and his thorough understanding of global economic forces shaping the Canadian geo-political landscape give him the perfect combination of skills and experience to execute this mandate,” said David Schellenberg, Chairman of the AIAC Board of Directors.
AIAC and its member firms will play an active role in the Aerospace Review process through the creation of six working groups which will provide the Review Head and the Advisory Council with practical solutions and recommendations to improve federal aerospace policies and programs and enhance the Canadian aerospace industry’s competitiveness.
“The Canadian aerospace industry is currently the fifth largest in the world and employs 80,000 Canadians from coast-to-coast” Mr. Schellenberg added. “To compete globally, our industry needs the right government policies and programs to take advantage of outstanding opportunities for growth in the future. A competitive Canadian aerospace industry will result in more high-skilled jobs and other benefits to the Canadian economy” he concluded.
AIAC and its members firms would like to thank the Honourable Christian Paradis, Canada’s Minister of Industry, for his commitment to the aerospace industry and for this appointment. We look forward to working with Mr. Emerson and the Government in the enhancement of the competitiveness of the Canadian aerospace industry. The Review is expected to be complete by the end of this year.
The 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 generates more than $22 billion and employs approximately 80,000 Canadians. Nearly 80 per cent of Canadian aerospace products are exported and the industry accounts for approximately 6.9 percent of Canada’s total manufacturing GDP. AIAC represents the interests of 400 aerospace companies across Canada.
