Report: Canadian Gov't Needs to Help Aerospace Industry

Canada’s aerospace industry, the fifth largest in the world, is under threat to lose its competitive spot unless the government emplaces public policies and programs to keep its industry vibrant on the world stage, according to a new report.

The arm’s-length Aerospace Review, led by former cabinet minister David Emerson, offers 25 recommendations to help renew the aerospace industry, which has suffered from problematic policies, funding, and performance over the last the decade.

“We need to redouble our efforts to develop aerospace technologies of the future and secure our place in global markets and supply chains,” says Emerson in a statement.

Recommendations from the report include having the government clearly state that Canada’s $22-billion aerospace industry is a national priority; encouraging foreign governments and countries to purchase Canadian aerospace products; and negotiating bilateral cooperation agreements with countries like the United States, China, and India.

The Canadian government launched the Aerospace Review in February 2012. The Review based its recommendations on information and advice from industry leaders, researchers, organized labour, and governments across Canada and abroad.

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