Minister Clement Announces Aerospace Investment to Create Jobs and Keep Canada Cutting-Edge

SAINT-LAURENT, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Jan. 13, 2011) - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today announced a repayable government investment of $13 million in a $43.3-million project being undertaken by Thales Canada Inc. to research and develop innovative flight control systems. This investment is being made through the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI).

"On behalf of the Harper Government, I am pleased to announce this investment in one of Quebec's leading aerospace firms," said Minister Clement. "The project we are investing in today will create or maintain Canadian research jobs, encourage public and private partnerships, and keep Quebec and Canada at the forefront of the international aerospace industry."

In addition to reducing aircraft operating costs, Thales' fly-by-wire navigational technology decreases fuel consumption. This leads to significant improvements in aircraft performance as well as environmental benefits.

"This investment will allow us to continue developing the next generation of fly-by-wire technology, which will be more responsive, robust and lightweight than current systems," said Paul Kahn, President and CEO of Thales Canada.

The project will be carried out in collaboration with the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec. It will involve work on critical data and smart sensors that control fly-by-wire systems, and will include research and development (R&D) activities performed by the École Polytechnique de Montréal.

"With economic recovery still fragile, the hard-working men and women in Canada's aerospace sector can rest assured that the Harper Government is on their side," said Minister Clement.

SADI supports strategic industrial research and pre-competitive development projects in the aerospace, defence, space and security industries.

BACKGROUNDER

Government of Canada Invests in Research and Development Project for Flight Control Systems

The Government of Canada will make a repayable investment of $13 million in a project being undertaken by Thales Canada Inc. (TCI) to research and develop electronic flight control systems that are lighter and more reliable than the standard mechanical models now in use. 

TCI is based in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, and incorporated in Canada. It is a subsidiary of the French company Thales S.A., a leading international electronics and systems firm.

Thales' fly-by-wire system transmits electronic control signals from the cockpit by means of wires and computers rather than the cables, pulleys and piping used in mechanical systems. This creates a more reliable and lightweight system. Lighter aircraft consume less fuel, which reduces operating costs and aircraft exhaust.

Thales will perform research and development (R&D) in collaboration with the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec. The École Polytechnique de Montréal will also be involved in the R&D activities. The project will provide work experience for up to 90 undergraduate students through co-op programs.

The Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI) was launched in April 2007. Through repayable investments, SADI supports strategic industrial research and pre-competitive development projects in Canada's aerospace, defence, space and security industries.

The benefits of SADI include the leveraging of private sector investment in R&D, the attraction of foreign investment to Canada, advances in technology transfer and innovation, and the development of a highly skilled workforce. SADI is managed by the Industrial Technologies Office, a special operating agency of Industry Canada.

For more information about SADI, please visit the Industrial Technologies Office website (www.ito.ic.gc.ca).