Government of Canada supports economic growth and job creation in Ontario’s aerospace sector

Press Release

From: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Government of Canada investment helps six aerospace businesses and organizations to green operations, train workforce of future and support over 400 jobs

February 28, 2023 – Breslau, Ontario

Employing thousands of highly qualified people in every region across the country, the aerospace sector is a pillar of the economy and a driver of innovation in Canada. Ontario is home to some of the best aerospace manufacturing organizations, with products on virtually every passenger aircraft in the world. To continue to compete on a global scale, these organizations need to train their workforce for the future, and have access to the tools required to grow and contribute to a strong economy. The government is providing the support they need to do just that.

Today, while visiting the Region of Waterloo International Airport, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga; and Valerie Bradford, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-South Hespeler, announced a total investment of over $22 million, through the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI), for six projects within Ontario’s aerospace sector. This investment will support businesses and organizations in Ontario’s aerospace supply chain to increase manufacturing and productivity capabilities, green operations, train, and upskill employees, while supporting over 400 jobs across the region.

This investment includes nearly $9.2 million in support for the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA), Canada’s first sustainable aeronautics institute at the University of Waterloo. Through this project, WISA will equip an Innovation Hub at the Waterloo Region Airport to mobilize research, access green technologies and provide hands-on aviation training. This project will support up to 39 research projects to solve sector-specific challenges, help up to 12 SMEs commercialize projects focused on aeronautical sustainability, and develop two aeronautical sustainable e-learning courses. Over 65 jobs and up to 30 SMEs are expected to be supported through this project in the Waterloo Region.

Shimco North America (Shimco), a full-service custom shim and small part aerospace manufacturer, located in Cambridge is receiving over $1.2 million to support the construction of a 20,000-sq. ft. addition to its manufacturing space and purchase new advanced equipment. This expansion will enable the company to improve productivity and reduce its environmental footprint, while supporting 60 jobs in Cambridge.

Details on the six projects receiving support can be found in the backgrounder.

Quotes

“Ontario-made parts are found in almost every passenger plane in the world. And it’s the workers who will continue to take this industry to new heights. That’s why our government is investing directly in the organizations, businesses, and people who will drive innovation across the sector, and ensure workers have the skills needed to continue growing a strong, sustainable economy that works for everyone.”
– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“Today’s investment is great example of businesses and organizations in the Waterloo Region and across southern Ontario working together to reach a common goal, supporting Canada’s aerospace sector in a more sustainable way. The businesses and organizations within the Waterloo Region, Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics and Shimco North America, are supporting over 125 jobs and 30 SMEs in the region.”
– Valerie Bradford, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-South Hespeler

“It is important that we continue to provide our aerospace businesses and the organizations that support them with the tools to integrate technologies, green their operations and upskill their workforce so that they contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future.”
– Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga

“I believe in a future where every flight we take is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. Today’s federal announcement is a vote of confidence that the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics will make that future possible. This support will activate the transdisciplinary research and teaching needed to reduce emissions and prepare aviation professionals to transform this vital sector.”
– Dr. Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Waterloo

“WISA — the first institute of its kind in Canada — can play a vital role in achieving sustainability in the aviation and aerospace industries. Launched in the fall of 2021, its mission is to become the world’s leading hub for research, technology and education that will build a sustainable future for the aviation, aerospace and space industries. We have all the pieces here. If you love aviation, sustainability and new technology, come to Waterloo.”
– Dr. Suzanne Kearns, Associate Professor of Aviation, Founder and Director of the Waterloo Institute of Sustainable Aeronautics, University of Waterloo

“We were extremely pleased to have been approved for this support under the ARRI program. The funding will allow Shimco to remain competitive on the international contracts it competes for and will support Shimco on its path in becoming one of the world leaders in the markets it serves”
– Peter Voss, CEO, Shimco North America

Quick facts

• Ontario’s aerospace industry has over 200 firms, employs more than 44,000 workers and is responsible for more than $6 billion in revenues.
• Founded in 1957, the University of Waterloo has played a central role in promoting technological change and innovation in Canada. The Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics is a not-for-profit research and educational hub for sustainable aviation and aerospace research, technology, and education.
• Established in 1985, Shimco North America supplies several defense companies with its shim and small parts needs and is the only company of its kind in Canada.
• Established in 1998, Cleeve Technology Inc. serves the defence and aerospace sectors with design, development and manufacturing of specialized electrical cabling, harnessing and associated interconnects, along with electrical/electronic assembly operations.
• Established in 1985, the First Nations Technical Institute is an Indigenous- owned and governed post-secondary institute that offers training programs in many different disciplines, including aerospace and an aviation program from which graduates leave with a commercial pilot licence.
• Founded in 1987, Service Mold + Aerospace Inc. is leading supplier of molds and precision machining in the aerospace, automotive, medical and commercial sectors across North America.
• Founded in 1845, the World Trade Centre Toronto is the trade services arm of the Toronto Region Board of Trade that provides targeted international trade advisory services and expertise through comprehensive research, trade education, strategy building workshops, outbound and inbound trade missions and valuable connections to experts and networks and its various business facing programs.
• Delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies, the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI) is part of a Government of Canada strategy that includes measures being implemented by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to boost the aerospace industry. With a national budget of $250 million over three years, FedDev Ontario is delivering $67.5 million in support in southern Ontario.
• Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $158 million in 34 aerospace projects across southern Ontario, creating over 900 jobs and maintaining over 1,000 jobs.

Associated links

• FedDev Ontario
• Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative
• Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics
• Shimco North America

Contacts

Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
[email protected]

Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
[email protected]

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