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The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, announced that Canada has signed a US$105-million contract with the Philippines to supply eight specialized helicopters manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd.
The contract was negotiated under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Canadian Commercial Corporation and the Philippines’ Department of National Defense. Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the MOU during his visit to the Philippines in November 2012.
Facilitated by the Canadian Commercial Corporation, the Government of Canada’s international government-to-government contracting organization, the eight helicopters will be manufactured at Bell Helicopter’s Mirabel, Que., plant over the next two years, solidifying Quebec’s reputation for excellence in aircraft manufacturing and services.
Aerospace is a priority sector under Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan.
Quick Facts
- As one of Canada’s largest exporters, the Canadian aerospace industry exports nearly 80 per cent of its products.
- Canadian exports of aircraft, aircraft engines and aircraft parts reached a near-record high of $10.8 billion in 2013, a 5.4 per cent increase from the year before.
- Canada’s aerospace industry comprises more than 700 companies of all sizes from coast to coast and employs more than 170,000 Canadians.
- In 2012-13, the Canadian Commercial Corporation was active in 72 countries with more than 210 Canadian companies, signing contracts worth approximately $1 billion.
“Our government will continue to support our exporters and manufacturers to create jobs as part of the most ambitious pro-trade, pro-export plan in Canadian history. Aerospace is a priority sector under Canada’s Global Market Action Plan to support the pursuit of commercial success by Canadian companies. When our businesses succeed abroad, all Canadians benefit from the jobs and opportunities that are created at home,” said Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade.
“For 28 years, Bell Helicopter has been the only domestic helicopter original-equipment manufacturer in Canada. Our 2,000 employees have produced over 4,300 helicopters at our Mirabel facility and have been a crucial part of both Bell’s commercial manufacturing strategy and the Canadian aerospace industry. We appreciate the Government of Canada’s assistance in supporting our export opportunities and winning this contract,” said Barry Kohler, president of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd.
“Canada’s aerospace industry exports over 80 per cent of its products each year. Global contracts such as the one signed today are what keep our industry competitive so that we can continue creating the highly skilled, high-paying Canadian jobs that characterize our industry. In the face of fierce global competition, winning in the global marketplace requires a group effort, and we thank the government for their commitment to the kind of economic diplomacy that results in contracts like this one,” Jim Quick, president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada.
