AIAC supports the nomination of David L. Emerson as Head of the Aerospace Policies and Programs Review - Minister Paradis launches Aerospace Review to be led by former Cabinet Minister

OTTAWA, Feb. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - 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.

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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.

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BACKGROUNDER

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The Canadian Aerospace Industry's Economic Impact at a Glance:

• Total (direct, indirect and induced) Jobs: 150,200
• Total (direct, indirect and induced) Economic output: $38.8B
• Total (direct, indirect and induced) Contribution to GDP: $17.5B
• Total (direct, indirect and induced) Economic Value Added:  $21.3B
• Contributions to federal and provincial governments tax revenue: $1.5B

Source: The Strategic and Economic Impact of the Canadian Aerospace Industry, Deloitte & Touche, October 2010.
More info and statistics available at www.aiac.ca

Aerospace Review Working Groups Mandate

Working groups are being created under the leadership of AIAC. Their mandate is to provide the Review Head and Advisory Council with practical solutions and recommendations on the Government of Canada's current policies and programs in six broad areas critical to the Canadian aerospace industry's competitiveness. Working Groups will be led by industry, but other relevant stakeholders groups will be invited to provide their respective insight. They will have approximately six months to complete their work.

Working Groups Themes

• The Technology Development, Demonstration and Commercialization Working Group will identify and assess current Government of Canada instruments that support innovation and commercialization in the Canadian aerospace industry and identify potential changes to those instruments to address future opportunities for the industry.
• The Space Working Group will examine how Government of Canada policies and programs can best be used to foster the economic growth and competitiveness of the Canadian space industry in order to meet public policy objectives and capture commercial opportunities.
• The Market Access and Market Development Working Group will work to understand the changing nature of global supply chains and the implications of these changes on the Canadian aerospace industry. This group will also assess current Government of Canada policies and programs that support market access and market development including export controls, barriers to trade and civil aviation certification.
• The Aerospace-Related Public Procurement Working Group will examine how procurement by the Government of Canada can be leveraged to optimize economic benefits for - and enhance the competitiveness of - the Canadian aerospace industry.
• The People and Skills Working Group will examine the current and future human capital issues impacting the competitiveness of the Canadian aerospace industry and how Government of Canada policies and programs can best be used to address these issues.
• The Small Business and Supply Chain Development Working Group will examine the issues influencing the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized businesses and the effective positioning of Canadian SMEs in global supply chains.

Maryse Harvey, Vice-President Public Affairs, AIAC
613 760-4562, [email protected]