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Aerospace Innovation Forum 2016 opening speech by Premier of Québec, Philippe Couillard, during the International Aerospace Week – Montreal. CNW Group/Aéro Montréal Photo
Aéro Montréal, Québec’s aerospace cluster, brought together nearly 1,300 participants, more than 100 speakers from 15 different countries, and helped to organize over 1,400 B2B meetings during the second edition of International Aerospace Week – Montreal held at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal from April 25 to 29, 2016.
“This edition was a resounding success that gave rise to world-class discussions and meetings on all the subjects that aerospace companies around the world are dealing with every day,” said Suzanne Benoît, president of Aéro Montréal. “Assembling so many leaders in global aerospace was a challenge that reaped great results. All the SMEs [small and medium enterprises], educational institutions and research centres present were able to have productive discussions that will ensure their growth potential.”
“The involvement of governments was very important to the success of Aerospace Week,” added Benoît. “This was the best demonstration of the tremendous importance our governments accord our industry. We benefited from the presence of many Québec ministers, including Philippe Couillard, Québec’s premier; Dominique Anglade, the Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation; Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy and Minister responsible for the Montréal region; and Christine St-Pierre, Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie.
“We also had the privilege of playing host to federal officials, including Léona Alleslev, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, and Marc Miller, MNA for Ville-Marie-Le Sud-Ouest-Île-des-Soeurs.”
Innovation, collaboration, internationalization and the labour force were at the heart of discussions held during Aerospace Week. Each company was able to learn about the importance of adapting to the reality of the aerospace sector in order to remain among the best aerospace companies in the world.
Québec’s aerospace industry has annual sales of $15.5 billion and generates more than 40,000 direct jobs. Some 80 per cent of its production is exported. Research and development is a critical element and represents 70 per cent of Canada’s total aerospace investments.
International Week Aerospace – Montreal would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our government partners: the Montréal Metropolitan Community; the Government of Québec, particularly Emploi Québec de l’Île de Montréal, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy and the Conseil emploi métropole; as well as the Government of Canada. The major private partners associated with International Aerospace Week – Montreal were the Business Development Bank and Norton Rose Fulbright.
