13 June 2011 - Innovation - the engine of wealth and prosperity

Innovation - the engine of wealth and prosperity

As representatives of Québec’s aerospace industry, we would like to congratulate the Québec government,and support it as partners, for the visionary commitment it has shown through the update of its Québec reaffirms the importance of research and innovation as the foundation for Québec's international competitiveness, for its economic development, and for long-term job creation.

Government support for Québec’s aerospace sector through the QRIS comes at a critical time. With its new $150 million collaborative program over four (4) years for the ecological aircraft mobilizing project, Québecis emulating major framework programs of the European Union and the United States regarding technology demonstrations. As a result, it is showing great leadership in supporting a dynamic industry employing over 40,000 people.The government is doing everything possible to help Québec prosper by building on thesignificant efforts made in the first QRIS and by speeding up technology transfer from our universities andour research centres to companies and, ultimately, facilitating the international commercialization of ourbest ideas.

Aerospace is a high-tech sector in which competitive advantage often hinges on technical excellence andinnovation.However, because of safety imperatives, the development and validation of new technology concepts require large investments over a long period of time, from 5 to 10 years.

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