Government of Canada investment helps six aerospace businesses and organizations to green operations, train workforce of future and support over 400 jobs
Employing thousands of highly qualified people in every region across the country, the aerospace sector is a pillar of the economy and a driver of innovation in Canada. Ontario is home to some of the best aerospace manufacturing organizations, with products on virtually every passenger aircraft in the world. To continue to compete on a global scale, these organizations need to train their workforce for the future, and have access to the tools required to grow and contribute to a strong economy. The government is providing the support they need to do just that.
Today, while visiting the Region of Waterloo International Airport, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga; and Valerie Bradford, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-South Hespeler, announced a total investment of over $22 million, through the Aerospace Regional and Recovery Initiative (ARRI), for six projects within Ontario's aerospace sector. This investment will support businesses and organizations in Ontario's aerospace supply chain to increase manufacturing and productivity capabilities, green operations, train, and upskill employees, while supporting over 400 jobs across the region.
This investment includes nearly $9.2 million in support for the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA), Canada's first sustainable aeronautics institute at the University of Waterloo. Through this project, WISA will equip an Innovation Hub at the Waterloo Region Airport to mobilize research, access green technologies and provide hands-on aviation training. This project will support up to 39 research projects to solve sector-specific challenges, help up to 12 SMEs commercialize projects focused on aeronautical sustainability, and develop two aeronautical sustainable e-learning courses. Over 65 jobs and up to 30 SMEs are expected to be supported through this project in the Waterloo Region.
Shimco North America (Shimco), a full-service custom shim and small part aerospace manufacturer, located in Cambridge is receiving over $1.2 million to support the construction of a 20,000-sq. ft. addition to its manufacturing space and purchase new advanced equipment. This expansion will enable the company to improve productivity and reduce its environmental footprint, while supporting 60 jobs in Cambridge.
Details on the six projects receiving support can be found in the backgrounder.
