June 17, 2022 | Local, Aerospace, C4ISR, Security
COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE
Pour diffusion immédiate le jeudi 16 juin
Aéro Montréal lance 4 nouvelles initiatives en réponse
aux besoins du secteur aérospatial québécois
Près de 7,9 M$ pour b'tir la chaîne d'approvisionnement carboneutre du futur
Montréal, le jeudi 16 juin 2022 – À l'occasion de la Journée des Chantiers, l'événement annuel qui rassemble ses membres chaque année, Aéro Montréal a annoncé le lancement de 4 nouvelles initiatives pour la relance de la grappe aérospatiale. D'un budget total de près de 7,9 M$, ces stratégies répondront à un objectif commun : celui de construire la chaîne d'approvisionnement carboneutre du futur. Ce projet est rendu possible gr'ce à la participation financière de Développement économique Canada pour les régions du Québec (DEC) et du gouvernement du Québec.
Une réponse concrète aux défis identifiés par le secteur aérospatial québécois
En collaboration avec ses précieux partenaires, Aéro Montréal, présente donc aujourd'hui des solutions concrètes à ses membres en fonction de 4 thématiques critiques : l'environnement, la main-d'œuvre, la cybersécurité et l'internationalisation. Les initiatives qui en découlent permettront notamment aux entreprises d'améliorer leur performance environnementale et d'offrir des produits plus écoresponsables, de renforcer leur cybersécurité, de mettre en place des pratiques de ressources humaines qui contribueront à l'inclusion et à la diversité de leur main-d'œuvre, et enfin, de commercialiser leurs produits et services sur les marchés les plus prometteurs à l'international.
« Nos entreprises veulent construire un écosystème plus durable, en misant sur l'environnement, la diversité et l'inclusion. Elles veulent aussi s'adapter dans une ère de numérisation où la croissance exponentielle du partage de données est aussi synonyme de risque de cyberattaques. En offrant un accompagnement dédié sur chacune de ces thématiques stratégiques, Aéro Montréal s'assure de proposer des solutions adaptées à l'évolution et à la croissance de ses membres », indique Suzanne M. Benoît, présidente-directrice générale d'Aéro Montréal.
L'honorable Pascale St-Onge, ministre des Sports et ministre responsable de DEC, a profité de sa présence à cette Journée des Chantiers pour annoncer l'attribution d'une contribution non remboursable de 6 367 290 $. Cet appui financier vise d'une part, à assurer la relance écoresponsable de l'industrie aérospatiale québécoise et la mise en œuvre des 4 initiatives d'Aéro Montréal et, d'autre part, à poursuivre le projet StartAéro 360, qui permet aux jeunes pousses innovantes de bonifier leur proposition de valeur et de mieux se positionner dans le secteur de l'aérospatiale. Les fonds ont été consentis en vertu de l'Initiative de relance régionale de l'aérospatiale (IRRA), qui a précisément été mise en place pour répondre aux défis identifiés par les entreprises du secteur de l'aérospatiale durant la crise.
« Notre gouvernement a vite reconnu l'urgence de soutenir la relance de l'aérospatiale, un secteur clé de l'économie du Québec durement frappé par la pandémie. Aéro Montréal a su définir et circonscrire avec pertinence les objectifs de ses membres pour les mener vers une relance du secteur qui soit verte et inclusive, fondée sur la résilience et la compétitivité internationale. Notre soutien témoigne de toute l'importance que nous accordons à l'écoresponsabilité des entreprises de chez nous. »
L'honorable Pascale St-Onge, députée de Brome–Missisquoi, ministre des Sports et ministre responsable de DEC
Les initiatives qui soutiendront la création de la chaîne d'approvisionnement carboneutre du futur
Encourager les pratiques écoresponsables au sein des entreprises
L'initiative écoresponsabilité aura pour objectif de faciliter le développement de nouveaux produits, de nouveaux processus et de nouveaux marchés écoresponsables. Elle veillera à encourager le développement de capacités internes et le processus de certification qui en découle.
Protéger les entreprises du secteur en les outillant en matière de cybersécurité
L'initiative cybersécurité, gérée par Aéro Montréal avec la participation de In-Sec-M, assurera l'accompagnement et la formation des entreprises et permettra aux PME du secteur d'aller chercher et de maintenir les accréditations désormais exigées par des gouvernements et des donneurs d'ordre en cybersécurité. Cette initiative est également soutenue par le ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation.
« La cybersécurité dans des domaines comme l'aérospatiale sera de plus en plus importante pour les entreprises qui gèrent des données sensibles. Gr'ce à notre secteur aérospatial dynamique, nous avons les atouts pour développer une expertise qui sera fondamentale dans les prochaines années. »
Pierre Fitzgibbon, ministre de l'Économie et de l'Innovation et ministre responsable du Développement économique régional
Inviter la diversité dans les environnements de travail
Avec l'initiative Propulsion Relève inclusive, à laquelle contribuent le ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale, le Secrétariat à la condition féminine, la Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal et Desjardins, Aéro Montréal engagera aussi des actions concrètes de promotion pour encourager le développement d'une main-d'œuvre diversifiée. « La pénurie de main-d'œuvre qui frappe notre secteur et qui ne va cesser de s'accentuer représente un risque fort pour la compétitivité de notre tissu industriel. Nous devons aborder ce défi en renforçant nos organisations, et cela passe notamment par l'ouverture de nos entreprises et la valorisation des multiples occasions professionnelles de l'industrie auprès des minorités », ajoute madame Benoît.
« L'industrie de l'aérospatiale occupe une place très importante dans l'économie québécoise. Le contexte actuel de pénurie de main-d'œuvre, combiné aux nombreux départs à la retraite dans le secteur, fait qu'un grand nombre d'emplois seront à pourvoir dans les prochaines années. Pour relever ce défi, il est essentiel de viser le recrutement et le développement d'une main-d'œuvre diversifiée et qualifiée. Notre gouvernement est donc fier de participer à cette initiative, qui permettra de soutenir la relève et de favoriser son intégration dans ce secteur d'activité. »
Jean Boulet, ministre du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale, ministre de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration et ministre responsable de la région de la Mauricie
« Le Grand Montréal connaît un bel élan de son activité économique, mais des défis doivent encore être relevés pour répondre aux besoins de main-d'œuvre des entreprises du secteur de l'aérospatial. Il est essentiel de mettre en place des outils diversifiés comme le fait Aéro Montréal avec l'initiative Propulsion Relève inclusive, qui contribuera à rejoindre des jeunes issus de la diversité. Cette initiative répond à un enjeu ciblé par le Plan métropolitain de développement économique 2022-2031 de la CMM », a souligné Valérie Plante, mairesse de Montréal et présidente de la Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal.
Stimuler le rayonnement et le positionnement à l'international de l'expertise québécoise
L'initiative Rayonnement et croissance internationale, quant à elle, veillera à la présence de délégations québécoises lors de manifestations à portée internationale, tout en offrant de l'accompagnement aux entreprises dans la préparation et l'organisation de B2B.
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À propos d'Aéro Montréal
Créé en 2006, Aéro Montréal est un forum stratégique de concertation qui réunit l'ensemble des premiers dirigeants du secteur aérospatial québécois issus de l'industrie, des institutions d'enseignement et des centres de recherche, incluant les associations et les syndicats.
Les activités d'Aéro Montréal sont rendues possibles gr'ce à la participation des gouvernements du Canada et du Québec, de la Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal, ainsi que des entreprises membres de la grappe.
Pour de plus amples informations :
Léa Guicheteau
Aéro Montréal
514-550-7494
March 30, 2022 | Local, Aerospace
Negotiations could begin as early as this week between the Canadian government and Lockheed Martin for the acquisition of 88 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets.
June 11, 2019 | Local, Aerospace, Security
David Pugliese The criteria that will govern the selection of the winning bid to provide Canada's next fleet of fighter jets will prioritize strategic attack and foreign ground-strike capabilities, according to government documents obtained by Postmedia — guidelines that are seen to favour Lockheed Martin's controversial F-35. In 2010 the Conservative government under Prime Minister Stephen Harper selected the F-35 to replace the Canadian Forces' aging CF-18s, but later abandoned the plan after concerns about the technology used for the plane and its growing cost. During the 2015 election campaign Justin Trudeau promised that a Liberal government would not purchase the F-35, at the same time vowing to hold an open competition for the purchase of the country's new jet. Once in office, however, the Liberals backed away from their promise to freeze out the F-35 and the aircraft is now seen as a front-runner in the upcoming competition, with many supporters in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Though the Liberal government has highlighted the need to buy new jets to protect Canadian airspace and meet the country's commitments to NORAD, the procurement criteria obtained by Postmedia, currently in draft form, indicate the bidding process will assign additional weight to aircraft that excel at ground attack for overseas operations. Those criteria are seen to favour Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth jet, say industry representatives allied with Lockheed's rivals in the upcoming $19-billion competition. The evaluation criteria also place less emphasis on sustainability — something else that may play to the advantage of the F-35, which has been dogged by high maintenance bills. But Pat Finn, the Department of National Defence's procurement chief, says there is such a wide variety of requirements to meet in the competition that while some aircraft might be seen to do well in some areas, they may not excel in others. “Somebody may be better in a high-end scenario but they're worst for cost,” Finn explained. “That's why we say it's the whole piece” that will be considered in the competition. At this point four aircraft are expected to be considered: two U.S.-built aircraft, the F-35, and the Super Hornet, and two European planes, the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Gripen. Finn said bidding companies must meet mandatory requirements when it comes to long-term sustainment of the planes. But industry representatives, both from Lockheed Martin rivals and those not directly involved in the competition, point out that beyond the mandatory requirements there is little emphasis on the important area of long-term maintenance and sutainability. So a company with an aircraft that costs relatively little to maintain won't get that recognition in the competition, they claimed. Finn said discussions are still ongoing with various companies and their feedback is being assessed. The request for proposals, which will outlined the final requirements for the aircraft, is expected to be released around mid-July, he added. Royal Canadian Air force commander Lt.-Gen. Al Meinzinger said key capabilities for a new plane are survivability and having an operational advantage. “We are very confident we are actually meeting the requirements of NATO and NORAD,” he said, pointing to the requirements for the new aircraft. “Both of those missions are well represented.” Canada already changed some of the industrial benefits criteria of the competition in May to satisfy concerns from the U.S. government that the F-35 would be penalized or couldn't be considered because of how that program was set up. U.S. officials had warned that the F-35 development agreement Canada signed years ago prohibits partner nations from imposing requirements for industrial benefits. Under the F-35 agreement, partner nations such as Canada are prohibited from demanding domestic companies receive contracts for work on the fighter jet, those companies instead having to compete for work. Over the last 12 years, Canadian firms have earned more than $1.3 billion in contracts to build F-35 parts. The changes made in May would now allow some of those F-35 contracts to be considered when weighing the industrial benefits offered by the planes. The winning bidder will build 88 jets for Canada, and the first delivery is expected in the mid-2020s with the full capability available in the early 2030s, according to documents produced by the Department of National Defence. https://nationalpost.com/news/bidding-criteria-for-canadas-19b-fighter-jet-competition-will-emphasize-strategic-attack-and-ground-strike-capabilities-seeming-to-favour-the-f-35
April 6, 2020 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
Families of health workers in Quebec driving grassroots campaign to get pandemic equipment to hospitals Murray Brewster Guillaume Tardif, a soon-to-be-retired army tank officer, quietly but frantically combed the internet in January as coronavirus reports coming out of Wuhan, China became more alarming. Even then, he was convinced a viral storm was approaching and was determined to do everything possible to protect his wife, a Montreal emergency room physician — up to and including the purchase of reusable face masks. Tardif, a captain who served in Afghanistan, has been at the forefront of an unusual grassroots campaign in Quebec — driven by the families of frightened health care workers — to mobilize the provincial and federal governments to requisition industrially-certified respirators from idled industries and suppliers. He spent over $800 out of his own pocket to equip his wife with personal protective equipment (PPE) for the daily battle against coronavirus. "She's the love of my life," Tardif said in an interview. "She's the mother of my children and I'm going to make sure that I do everything possible for her to come home every night and us to get through this." (Staff at the hospital where his spouse works have been warned not to talk to the media and CBC News has agreed not to publish Tardif's wife name, or the name of the facility where she works.) Tapping into industrial supplies Other families in the medical community have followed Tardif's lead by buying up large stocks of industrial masks and respirators locally, and donating them. Earlier this week, the federal government announced an ambitious $2 billion plan to swiftly increase the stock of personal protective equipment for frontline health-care workers caring for critically-ill and dying patients. Quebec Premier François Legault said Tuesday the province has three to four days before it runs out of some personal protective equipment (PPE), but that the province has orders that are expected to arrive in the coming days. The province went through a year's worth of PPE in a matter of weeks because of the surge in COVID-19 cases. The question of whether the federal stockpile of equipment is adequate has been on federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu's mind. "No we likely do not have enough," she told the daily media briefing Wednesday. "I think federal governments for decades have been underfunding things like public health preparedness and I would say that obviously governments all across the world are in the same exact situation." In all likelihood, it will be weeks before suppliers, old and new, can ramp up production of vital equipment such as medically-certified N95 masks, which many doctors and nurses throughout the country are being forced to ration and reuse. Tardif argues there is a large alternative supply of identical industrial-grade masks and respirators that can be requisitioned by the federal government and the provinces in the meantime. "We need to take every chance to avoid running out of PPE and in my opinion that involves requisitioning every device that's out there," he said. It's a good idea, says doctor Dr. Andrew Willmore, medical director of emergency management at the Ottawa Hospital, said having the provinces or the federal government coordinate the collection of industrial protective equipment is a very good idea. "I think it's absolutely useful," Willmore said. "I think it's a very important role, both federal and provincial, to be able to enact the appropriate legislative measures by which they can really dig down into industry and create a pool of resources that can be distributed equitably in a way that supports the health care system as a whole." Both 3M, the manufacturer of the N95, and Health Canada have said industrial masks — the kind used in construction, factories and paint shops, where fumes are a problem — are a suitable emergency substitute. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that major shipments of protective equipment, including millions of masks, have started to arrive — one shipment landed on Wednesday — and federal officials are in the process of conducting inventory and getting the equipment out to the provinces. "We will be there to support the provinces and territories with whatever they need," he said during his daily media briefing. "This includes sending personal protective equipment and other supports for the health care system." The shortage of protective equipment for hospital staff was to be the subject of a teleconference between Trudeau and the premiers Thursday night. Willmore said the Ottawa Hospital has reached out to some local businesses in the hopes of laying its hands on an industrial supply. In other parts of the country, major industrial concerns have stepped forward. Honda Canada donated 1,200 masks to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, Ont., and a further 1,000 and 40,000 pairs of gloves to the Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston, Ont. 'A single point of failure' Tardif said his research suggests that's a fraction of the industrial stock across the country and it's the federal government's responsibility to step in and coordinate a nationwide drive. Shortages of protective equipment for health care staff in a pandemic create "a single point of failure" for the whole system because it either puts doctors, nurses and technicians in danger or leaves them unable to provide care, Willmore said, adding that "the highest levels of government" need to engage with the problem. It has been suggested that giving health care staff reusable respirators, such as the 3M-manufactured 6000, would help cut down on the use of disposable masks. Willmore said that depends on the environment and the patient being treated, noting that there's a danger involved in overusing some equipment. Cost and availability are other factors. "These are expensive pieces of equipment and they're difficult to source, especially since there's been a pull to purchase such equipment," he said. "It's certainly effective but there are practical limitations." https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/covid-coronavirus-pandemic-masks-respirators-1.5518401