SEPTEMBER 2004
Aerospace, Biotech Bolster Québec Economy (cover)
Latest Expansions Around the Province
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QUÉBEC SPOTLIGHT
Aerospace, Biotech
Bolster Québec Economy
Bolster Québec Economy
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uébec dominates Canada's aerospace industry, garnering nearly 62 percent of sales and half of the nation's employment in the sector. New go vernment business and the potential of a big project from homegrown firm Bombardier bode well for the province.
"When you look at Québec, the provincial government is friendly toward the aerospace industry and it supports innovation and worker training," says Ron Kane, vice president of policy and research at the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada.
Montréal-based Bombardier Aerospace announced in July 2004 that it is considering
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| Québec is among the territories in the running for the proposed production of Bombardier's new C-Series jets. The company plans to make a decision in early 2005. |
In addition to Québec, regions bidding on the project include Ontario, the U.K., and several U.S. states.
"Obviously, we already have sites in Canada, the U.S. and Northern Ireland where we have existing operations," says Bombardier spokeswoman Lise St-Arnaud. "These areas have expressed interest, but since we made the announcement, we've heard from other countries wanting more information."
St-Arnaud says Bombardier will make its final decision on the competitiveness of the sites and the overall business case each makes. The company also expects competing governments to offer support through financing one third of the project. Bombardier will provide one third and the remainder will come from suppliers.
A public-private partnership seeks to develop gas turbine engines capable of producing the world's highest levels of thermal efficiency while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Rolls-Royce Canada Ltd., buoyed by the largesse of the Canadian government, has begun a CAN$122.5 million (U.S.$92.8 million) program for research and development of industrial application of its jet engines. The government is chipping in CAN$30 million (U.S.$22.7 million) through Technology Partnerships Canada.
The Canadian government's planned purchase of a new fleet of military helicopters will benefit aerospace firms across the country, with Québec earmarked for CAN$955 million (U.S.$728 million). United Technologies division Sikorsky submitted the winning bid for the contract.
"This project will deliver sustained industrial activity in regions across Canada," said David Emerson, Canada's Minister of Industry.