New poll shows support from Canadians for a comprehensive aerospace strategy

Mike Mueller, senior vice-president of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC), and Jean Charest, chair of AIAC’s Vision 2025, recently welcomed new polling data compiled by Pollara Strategic Insights regarding Canadians’ attitudes towards the aerospace industry.

The survey was conducted amongst a randomly-selected, reliable sample of adult Canadians between July 6 and 7, 2020.

Key findings:

• Canadians do not have a strong familiarity with the aerospace industry, with only 18 per cent saying they are at all familiar and three per cent being very familiar.  While familiarity is higher among men (27 per cent very/somewhat), millennials (24 per cent very/somewhat) and those with a university education (27 per cent very/somewhat), still only one-quarter of any group has any familiarity, while less than one-in-ten are very familiar.
• As Canada’s aerospace industry ranking recently dropped from 5th in the world to 7th , more than eight in ten Canadians (85 per cent) feel that is important for Canada to invest in its domestic aerospace industry.
• Almost all Canadians agree it is at least somewhat important that it stay in Canada (91 per cent), with almost half (46 per cent) saying this is very important while a vast majority say it is important that Canada remains competitive (85 per cent).
• Likewise, 85 per cent also feel it is important that Canada invest in this industry, similar to other countries like Hong Kong, France, Germany and the U.S.A.
• Finally, 78 per cent of Canadians agree that Canada needs a comprehensive aerospace strategy to ensure the industry’s long-term future as well as to protect the more than 215,000 jobs and financial contributions.

“The recent economic update outlined the severe financial situation we are facing as a country. It is staggering. As we look towards a post COVID-19 economy, there must be a recognition — and prioritization — of industries that can be part of Canada’s overall economic recovery. It is very encouraging the Canadians agree that aerospace must be prioritized as part of Canada’s economic recovery plan,” said Mueller.

“This is further evidence of the need for a comprehensive sector strategy for aerospace. For over 80 years, governments of all political stripes made Canada’s aerospace sector a policy priority through strategic action and investments. While our major competitor countries have implemented sector specific plans and recovery measures, Canada has resisted. We must act now to protect 215,000 skilled, well-paying jobs across the country that support more than 500 small businesses,” added Charest.