Ministers promote Canada’s aerospace industry on global stage at Farnborough Airshow

Earlier this week, Canadian government officials attended the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom.

The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant, alongside the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, met with key stakeholders in the aerospace, space, and defence sectors.

Joined by delegates from over 30 Canadian companies, the Ministers promoted Canada as a top destination for aerospace investments, emphasizing Canada’s commitment to sustainability in aviation and supply chain practices.

While there, the Ministers held discussions with industry leaders, including CEOs from Airbus, Bell Textron, and Boeing Defense, Space & Security, among others. They also met with leaders from Canadian companies such as De Havilland, Bombardier, and CAE Inc.

Minister Champagne additionally engaged industry leaders in discussions about an Aerospace Strategy for Canada, reflecting ongoing government efforts to address key industry priorities highlighted at the airshow. These priorities include workforce development, sustainable aviation fuel, defence, innovation, and certification.

In 2023, Canada’s aerospace industry made significant economic contributions, generating nearly $29B in GDP and supporting 218,000 jobs nationwide. The industry’s prowess is evident in its diversified product range and leading position in research and development spending among Canadian manufacturing sectors, with R&D investments rebounding to pre-pandemic levels.