Minister Denis Lebel to Attend 50th International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget This Week

MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - June 17, 2013) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, will visit France and Belgium from June 18 to 22, 2013. The Minister will take advantage of his presence at the Paris Air Show to promote the skills and know-how of the Quebec and Canadian aerospace industry. While there, he will also take the opportunity to meet with international colleagues and executives of transportation companies of key importance to the Canadian economy, as well as with representatives of such influential organizations as the European Aviation Safety Agency.

"The aim of Canada Economic Development's presence at the Paris Air Show is to highlight the expertise and skills of Quebec firms and, to that end, we will endeavour to facilitate their networking with contractors interested in major Government of Canada procurement projects in the aerospace sector. The Paris Air Show at Le Bourget is an exceptional showcase for all of our enterprises in the industry," Minister Lebel noted.

Creating jobs, stimulating growth and ensuring long-term prosperity are top priorities for the Government of Canada. These are also at the heart of the Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) Policy, an important aspect of the Government of Canada's procurement process regarding major projects in the aerospace sector. For Quebec enterprises in the industry, this means having the opportunity for Canadian or foreign contractors to buy their products or services, invest in the commercialization of their new technologies or processes, assist them in gaining access to value chains or join them in setting up research consortiums. Canada Economic Development oversees implementation of this policy in Quebec so as to maximize its benefits.

Aerospace is a key sector of the Canadian economy, both in terms of job creation and of the economic activity generated by the industry's enterprises. In 2012, Quebec's aerospace industry posted more than $12 billion in sales, or 55% of the sales generated nation-wide. With 212 enterprises, 186 of them small and medium-sized businesses, employing 42,400 people, the Quebec sector is also heavily engaged in innovation, accounting for 70% of Canada's total research and development spending.

"I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet and discuss with leaders of the aerospace industry, a sector of unequivocal importance in the world economy. In fact, I will have the chance to make some announcements on the subject at the Paris Air Show," added Minister Lebel, whose tour of the international exhibition will include a visit to the Aéro Montréal booth.

The Minister will then travel to Belgium to meet with his Belgian counterparts and promote Canadian trade interests in the transportation sector by demonstrating Canada's stability and reliability in transportation safety in order to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, as well as between Canada and Europe.

The mission of Canada Economic Development is to promote the long-term economic development of the regions of Quebec by giving special attention to those where slow economic growth is prevalent or opportunities for productive employment are inadequate. In so doing, the Agency remains committed to fostering cooperation and complementarity with Quebec and Quebec's communities.

Keep up with the latest news from Canada Economic Development by visiting www.dec-ced.gc.ca or subscribing to @CanEconDev on Twitter.