November 4, 2020 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

A Second Wind for the Quebec and Canadian Economy

AAA CANADA WILL PRESERVE MORE THAN 250 TEMPORARY JOBS IN QUEBEC
THANKS TO THE SUB-ASSEMBLY OF CAE AIR1 MECHANICAL VENTILATORS

MONTREAL, Nov. 3, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - A few months ago, the Canadian government awarded CAE, a world leader in civil aviation, defence and security, and healthcare training, an order for 10,000 units of CAE Air1, its new model of mechanical ventilator designed to save lives in hospitals across the country. AAA Canada, a leading manufacturer in industrialization and production, has been mandated by CAE to carry out certain sub-assemblies of this very important device. During these difficult times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this partnership is indeed, very promising.

To ensure the fulfillment of this major mandate, AAA Canada has invested more than $450,000 in infrastructure required for the development of sub-assembly lines at affiliate company sites located respectively in Laval and Mirabel. The contract, won by AAA Canada, allows it not only to recall a large number of its workers whom were temporarily laid off following the crisis that affected the aerospace industry as a whole, but also to proceed with the creation of several temporary positions. An invaluable mandate at a time when the economy is faltering, and businesses are running out of steam.

"The health crisis has stifled the Quebec and Canadian economy. The production of the CAE Air1 gave it an unexpected second wind. Thanks to the government's unwavering support, CAE's ingenuity and the great responsiveness and flexibility of our workers, we will be able to maintain and create nearly 250 temporary jobs, while helping to save lives. We are very grateful to CAE for this wonderful opportunity and I am extremely proud to witness, once again, AAA Canada's great determination to dare and innovate," said Avit Lévesque, General Manager of AAA Canada.

"This is a substantial subsidy as it is equal to the threat this second wave presents to the public health and to the overcrowding of hospitals nationwide. We are proud to have AAA Canada among the Canadian suppliers involved in this collective effort to fight COVID-19. We thank them for their excellent support, expertise and agility," added Stéphane Roche, Vice President Global Procurement Sourcing and Real Estate at CAE.

About AAA Canada (www.aaa-canada.ca/home)
AAA Canada, an affiliate of DRAKKAR Aerospace & Ground Transportation, is a specialized subcontracting and technical assistance services company related to industrialization and production processes, operating in the aerospace, ground transportation, energy and now health sectors. AAA Canada has a team of passionate workers and draws its strength from the AAA European Group located in the 4 corners of the globe. Supported by AAA Group's international expertise, we provide a proven intervention method to deliver a high-quality finished product to our customers. Our approach to productivity, timeliness, quality and efficiency gives us a place of choice within our clients' facilities and operations.

About CAE (www.cae.com)
CAE is a high technology company, at the leading edge of digital immersion, providing solutions to make the world a safer place. Backed by a record of more than 70 years of industry firsts, we continue to reimagine the customer experience and revolutionize training and operational support solutions in civil aviation, defence and security, and healthcare. We are the partner of choice to customers worldwide who operate in complex, high-stakes and largely regulated environments, where successful outcomes are critical. Testament to our customers' ongoing needs for our solutions, over 60 percent of CAE's revenue is recurring in nature. We have the broadest global presence in our industry, with approximately 10,000 employees, 160 sites and training locations in over 35 countries. www.cae.com

SOURCE AAA Canada

For further information: Contact Person: AAA Canada, Rosalie Côté, Senior Director - Communication & Marketing, rosalie.cote@drakkar.com, 514-806-0798

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/a-second-wind-for-the-quebec-and-canadian-economy-885079492.html

On the same subject

October 11, 2018 | Local, Aerospace

Governments of Canada and Manitoba strengthen the aerospace industry
WINNIPEG, Oct. 10, 2018 /CNW/ - Manitoba has the third largest aerospace cluster in Canada with more than 50 aerospace firms either headquartered or have major centres of operation and where they provide over 4,600 well–paying middle class jobs. Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), together with Scott Johnston, Manitoba Member of the Legislative Assembly for St. James, announced $10 million in funding towards four projects to promote innovation, skills development and growth in Manitoba's aerospace industry. The Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba worked together to identify initiatives designed to secure the future of aerospace in Manitoba. Together these initiatives address new and emerging competitive pressures, while supporting a growth strategy that addresses the challenge to innovate, maintain technological competencies, and improve productivity. Four projects will benefit from the following investments: Composites Innovation Centre: $1.8 million to establish a collaborative space at Red River College's Smart Factory to develop, demonstrate, and validate new advanced aerospace composite products and processes. Magellan Aerospace Limited: $5 million to introduce enhanced aerospace design, production, and technologies to the Manitoba aerospace industry, reinforcing Manitoba's competitive advantage as a leader in the global aerospace supply chain. West Canitest R&D Inc. (WestCaRD): $1.6 million to expand the range of engine testing capabilities of GE Aviation Test, Research and Development Centre, solidifying Winnipeg as the preferred location for testing of GE engines. Composites Innovation Centre: $1.6 million to administer and deliver the Manitoba Aerospace Fund aimed at supporting product commercialization, process innovation, and business development activities of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the Manitoba aerospace sector. These projects will lead to the creation of high quality jobs, introduce new product design capabilities and manufacturing technologies, facilitate the introduction of innovative composite manufacturing technologies, and expand engine testing capabilities. Quick facts Manufacturing is the largest industrial sector in Winnipeg. Manitoba is home to the third largest aerospace hub in Canada, employing more than 4,600 people. This investment will create approximately 70 jobs and grow the regional economy through expanded global sales. Quotes "Our Government's investment in the Canadian aerospace industry builds on our ambitious plan to turn Canada'seconomic strengths into global successes. These projects support a key economic cluster in Manitoba and across Western Canada that will continue to create the good middle-class jobs of tomorrow." - The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada "Manitoba's aerospace sector is globally-competitive and a significant part of our provincial economy. We continue to support the sector's development of a cutting-edge workforce and are pleased to have identified these projects as priorities in building the next generation of advanced manufacturing expertise here in Manitoba." - Scott Johnston, MLA for St. James, on behalf of Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen "We are pleased to be supported by Western Economic Diversification Canada in launching a collaborative technology development project that brings together industry, research and academic partners. We are also pleased to support the Manitoba Aerospace Fund's goal of increasing industrial competitiveness and our aerospace sector's economic footprint. Our focus with these funds is to collaboratively develop capabilities to position Manitoba, and Canada, as a leader in the aerospace industry." - Doug McCartney, President and CEO, Composites Innovation Centre "Magellan is both pleased and appreciative to continue the partnership with Western Economic Diversification Canada to invest in strengthening the advanced manufacturing environment in Winnipeg. This partnership with WD Canada announced today will contribute directly to the technologies and training required to deliver the specialized manufactured goods for the next generation of aerospace products." - Dan Pashniak, General Manager, Magellan Aerospace, Winnipeg "WestCaRD welcomes the Government of Canada's financial support for advanced aircraft engine test, research and development in Winnipeg. New and continuing high value employment opportunities are generated directly through developmental test operations, as well as indirectly through the advanced research and development needed to design, maintain and operate new generations of evermore efficient, safe, and environmentally improved aircraft. This investment in the future puts a spotlight on Manitoba, highlighting the economic strength of its aerospace sector, and is a shining example of the government and industry working together to ensure Canada's, and Manitoba's long-term economic health and well-being." - Bob Hastings, Chief Executive Officer, WestCaRD SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/governments-of-canada-and-manitoba-strengthen-the-aerospace-industry-696615221.html
September 21, 2022 | Local, Aerospace

Operational pause of CT-114 Tutor fleet lifted
Major-General Iain Huddleston, Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division and the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) Operational Airworthiness Authority, has lifted the operational pause on the CT-114 Tutor fleet effective September 20. The operational pause was implemented following an accident involving a 431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron (known as the Snowbirds) CT-114 Tutor aircraft on August 2, 2022 in Fort St. John, B.C. The Operational Airworthiness Authority implemented the operational pause on August 8 after consulting with the RCAF's Directorate of Flight Safety (DFS) investigators and with experts from the Technical Airworthiness Authority within the Department of National Defence's Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel). An operational pause means aircraft (either specific aircraft or a fleet) temporarily stop flying until an operational airworthiness risk assessment can be completed, and it is safe for flying operations to resume. In this case, the accident remains under investigation by DFS, but the investigation to date has yielded enough information for a thorough risk assessment to be conducted. The initial From the Investigator report from DFS has been released and confirmed that the engine failure was due to an improperly assembled oil filter. The investigation is now analyzing the human factors that may have contributed to this occurrence. The team will resume flying at their home base of 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Sask. this week. Next week, the Snowbirds' CT-114 aircraft currently in Penticton and Fort St John, B.C. will begin returning to 15 Wing. The type of precision flying in the Snowbirds' aerobatic performances requires a very high level of proficiency, which in turn necessitates a great amount of practice. Given that the team has not flown since the August 2 accident, there is not enough time left for them to conduct the number of practices necessary to return to form for their scheduled shows. Accordingly, the team's remaining scheduled performances for 2022 have been cancelled. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/09/operational-pause-of-ct-114-tutor-fleet-lifted.html
May 18, 2018 | Local, Naval

Feds OK early start to construction of navy's new supply ships
OTTAWA — The federal government has approved plans to start some work on the navy's new support ships in the coming months in a bid to keep delivery of the much-needed vessels from slipping farther behind schedule. Seaspan Shipyards is expected to begin cutting steel on some parts of the two vessels in Vancouver this summer during a lull in the construction of two science vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard, several sources told The Canadian Press. The science vessels will still be delivered first, but officials are hoping that the head start will result in the first Protecteur-class joint support ship, as the naval vessels are officially known, being delivered 2022. That would be a year earlier than the Department of National Defence's current estimate for the ship's completion, which was recently revealed in an annual report tabled in Parliament. Construction on the first vessel was supposed to start in 2016, with delivery slated for 2019, but the project has been plagued by delays and the government says its $2.3-billion budget is under review. The navy has been without a permanent support ship since 2015, when it was forced to retire its existing vessels due to an unexpected fire and corrosion issues, though it is leasing a temporary replacement, the MV Asterix. The Asterix is at the heart of the criminal case against Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, who has been charged with breach of trust for alleging leaking government secrets about the project to a Quebec shipyard in 2015. Norman has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to fight the charges in court. An official announcement about the plan to start work on the support ships, which are considered essential for supporting a modern navy on international operations, was expected this week but has been delayed. Seaspan, which is responsible for building the two support vessels as well as four science ships and a polar icebreaker for the coast guard, initially pitched the plan in a bid to prevent layoffs between construction of the science ships. National Defence publicly backed the proposal last month as a way to save time and it was touted in the department's annual report to Parliament, which was written before the federal government signed off on the plan. “Current discussions underway between Canada and the shipyard could also result in schedule compression opportunities being exploited,” the report reads, “including the potential to commence the early construction of some JSS components.” Yet the report also confirmed what many have feared: The project continues to experience delays. The department predicted last year that the first ship would be delivered in 2021; the new report says it will be delivered in 2023, though officials hope that the advance work will cut that time to 2022. The cause of the delays has been sharply contested by the government, National Defence, Seaspan and other industry players, with fingers pointed in all directions. Defence analyst David Perry of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute said while starting work soon on the support ships has merit, the ongoing delays point to much wider issues with regards to how the entire national shipbuilding plan is unfolding. “These mitigations keep talking about making something less late than it otherwise would be, not delivering them earlier than planned,” he said. “It's not really clear, but at a minimum, the Crown hasn't really demonstrated that they've reached any kind of stability in terms of the schedule.” http://thestarphoenix.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/feds-ok-early-start-to-construction-of-navys-new-supply-ships-sources/wcm/cdc8e162-7d54-4493-90c2-6d883a7b03dd

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