Aéro Montréal praises federal defense spending, supports national aerospace strategy

Aéro Montréal commends the Government of Canada's efforts to strengthen Canada's security through the renewal of the National Defense Strategy.

It welcomes the commitment to support research and development, the space sector and access to sustainable aviation fuel. However, Quebec's aerospace cluster calls on the government to continue its efforts, noting the importance of implementing a national aerospace strategy to strengthen the country's industrial capabilities and competitiveness.

Highlights of Quebec's aerospace sector

• Update protection policy: Our North, strong and free ($549.4 million over four years beginning in 2025-2026 and $267.8 million in subsequent years to enable DND to replace Canada's global satellite telecommunications equipment and purchase new tactical helicopters and airborne early warning aircraft. The upgrade also includes. Canada $66.5 million over five years from 2024-2025 for training of Royal Air Force personnel)
• Protecting Canada's Biofuels Industryin particular, by reorganizing and extending the clean fuel fund for four years, a total of 776.3 mln. between 2024-25 and 2029-30 to support clean fuel projects.
• Creating a new whole-of-government approach to space exploration, technology development and research Creation of the National Space Council
• Introducing significant new investment tax credits Create jobs by the end of 2024 and keep Canada on track to reduce pollution and become carbon neutral by 2050
• Support R&D and intellectual property support $1.8 billion over five years to increase funding for basic research scholarships
• Creation of a new funding agency for basic research
• Creation of an advisory council on science and innovation
• Creation of a working group on encouraging pension funds to invest in airport facilities
• A significant increase in targeted support for artificial intelligence was $2.4 billion (specifically, $100 million over five years for the National Research Council's AI Assistance Program to help small and medium-sized businesses increase and expand productivity by developing and implementing new solutions)
• New directions For Crown corporations to take more risks to support Canadian businesses.

“By renewing our national defense strategy and investing in our country's security, the Government of Canada is taking an important first step in the right direction. We look forward to continuing these efforts and working closely with the government to meet NATO's defense spending standards of two percent of GDP. Efforts to stimulate promising sectors in Canada such as space research and exploration and the growth of artificial intelligence will also benefit our industry. However, in the coming weeks, Aero Montreal hopes to be able to engage with the AIAC in fruitful discussions with the government on strategic issues, such as the development of a national aerospace strategy important to support the competitiveness of Canada's aerospace industry. sector,” said Melanie Lussier, president of Aéro Montreal.

This press release was prepared and distributed Aero Montreal.