Canada invests in the aerospace sector
by CM staff
In Budget 2021, the government announced that $1.75 billion in Strategic Innovation Fund support will be targeted to the aerospace sector for projects that anchor production mandates and jobs in Canada
SHERBROOKE — The Government of Canada will support, through the Strategic Innovation Fund, General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada’s Centre of Excellence for remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), located in Sherbrooke, Quebec. With this $10 million investment, General Dynamics will undertake mission system integration, testing and demonstration on the LX300 helicopter, a disruptive Canadian-made RPAS produced by Quebec-based Laflamme Aero, and is expected to create over 100 jobs in Sherbrooke.
On July 7, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions announced a $2.5 million investment, through the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative, for Laflamme Aero to produce the aforementioned LX300, the first Canadian-made RPAS in its class.
“Canada’s aerospace industry is a leading contributor to our economy and a driving force for innovation, and this deal with General Dynamics will also make us an innovative force for remotely piloted aircraft systems,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “Thanks to this investment and the joint work of General Dynamics and Laflamme Aero, an innovative Quebec-based company, we are solidifying our global leadership in the aerospace sector, strengthening our economy and creating well-paying, high-value jobs for the people of the Eastern Townships.”
