Aéro Montréal Expected Concrete Help for Aerospace Manufacturing Companies

Canada’s Economic Statement – Fall 2020

Montréal, November 30, 2020 – Aéro Montréal has reviewed the Fall Economic Statement issued by Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister.

First Steps in Supporting the Aerospace Industry

Against the backdrop of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Minister Chrystia Freeland committed in the budget update exercise and announced a $1 billion investment over two years to assist regional air transportation and airports.

By providing for an increase in the maximum rate of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) offered to employers from 65% to 75% from December 20, 2020 to March 13, 2021, the government is also confirming its desire to support businesses during this unique and particularly difficult context.

Quebec's aerospace cluster welcomes the first signals sent but regrets the lack of engagement with actors throughout the industrial supply chain.

Necessary support for the entire supply chain

However, in this interconnected ecosystem, the manufacturing industry must not be forgotten. In 2019, Quebec's aerospace industry ranked first in terms of Quebec exports, accounting for 12% of Quebec's total manufacturing exports. During that same year, the industry alone accounted for 43,400 workers and sales totalling $17.8 billion. Alongside airports and air carriers, close to 250 companies work every day to build, repair and improve our aircrafts and make Montréal the third aerospace capital of the world.

“While more than 4,000 jobs have already been lost in the Québec aerospace industry since the beginning of the pandemic, we are very concerned about the erosion of our ecosystem and the exodus of our qualified workforce. Every day counts, we need the federal government as a strategic partner to ensure the survival of this sector, which is vital to Canada." said Suzanne M. Benoît, President of Aéro Montréal.

About Aéro Montréal

Created in 2006, Aéro Montréal is a strategic think tank that groups all major decision makers in Québec's aerospace sector, including companies, educational and research institutions, as well as associations and unions.

The activities of Aéro Montréal are made possible thanks to the participation of the governments of Canada and Québec, the Montréal Metropolitan Community, as well as company members of the cluster.

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For further information:

Léa Guicheteau
Aéro Montréal
514-550-7494
lea.guicheteau@aeromontreal.ca

Kaven Delarosbil
Aéro Montréal
514-743-2728
kaven.delarosbil@aeromontreal.ca