Minister Paradis Congratulates the Centre technologique en aerospatiale in Saint-Hubert on Its Grand Opening and Announces Funding for Aerospace Research

SAINT-HUBERT, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Nov. 24, 2011) - The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, today congratulated the Centre technologique en aérospatiale (CTA) in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, on its official opening. The centre's new research and development infrastructure, consisting of laboratories and equipment, will help support firms in the aerospace sector.

"The Government of Canada is investing in research and training facilities at campuses across the country to create jobs, help our economy recover quickly and improve the quality of life of Canadians," said Minister Paradis. "The government's investment in the CTA created local jobs during its construction and helped improve the Collège Édouard-Montpetit's research infrastructure, providing the college and its partners in the aerospace sector with benefits now and for years to come."

The CTA is the result of a $12-million investment from the governments of Canada and Quebec. The Government of Canada provided close to $3.2 million through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, an important job creation program launched in 2009 under Canada's Economic Action Plan to help respond to the global economic recession.

The École Polytechnique de Montréal will receive a Collaborative Research and Development (CRD) grant worth $675,000 to study the management of aircraft at the end of their life cycle. As part of this project, the Polytechnique will use the CTA's state-of-the-art labs to explore and devise procedures for dismantling, parting out and recycling materials from old aircraft. The CRD grants program is managed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Canada's aerospace industry is a key contributor to the economy, and the Government of Canada is committed to ensuring its success on the global stage. The government is also making significant investments in the renewal and expansion of laboratories, learning commons and student facilities at colleges and universities across Canada.

According to the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, the aerospace industry generates annual revenues of $22 billion and employs nearly 80,000 Canadians in high-paying jobs at more than 400 firms. It also features important industrial clusters composed of leading multinational companies and numerous small and medium-sized enterprises.

For more information on the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, visit the Knowledge Infrastructure Program website (www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/696.nsf/eng/home).

For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit the Canada's Economic Action Plan website (www.actionplan.gc.ca/eng/index.asp).

For more information on the CRD grants program, visit the Collaborative Research and Development Grants website (www.nsercpartnerships.ca/FundingPrograms-ProgrammeDeSubventions/CRD-RDC-eng.asp).