Partnership formed to propel Ontario’s aerospace industry
by Canadian Manufacturing Staff
Trio of organizations will work together to identify, develop industry-academic research and development collaborations
TORONTO—A trio of organizations are teaming up to increase innovation in Ontario’s aerospace sector.
Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and the Ontario Aerospace Council (OAC) are partnering with the newly formed Consortium for Aerospace Research and Innovation in Canada (CARIC) to identify and develop opportunities for increased industry-academic research and development collaborations in the province, home to Canada’s second largest aerospace sector.
“It is good to see these three organizations coming together to make Ontario’s aerospace sector even more successful,” Research and Innovation Minister Reza Moridi said in a statement released by OCE.
“By bringing together industry and academia, the sky could well be the limit in terms of potential outcomes for the sector and for Ontario’s economy.”
A full-time OCE business development manager will be assigned to identify and foster industry-academic collaborations.
“This initiative builds on the well-established relationship we have with the OAC,” said Dr. Tom Corr, president and chief executive of OCE. “I expect we will see a great many incredible new ideas and innovations taking flight as a result.”
Formed in April, CARIC is a national research and technology network that unites stakeholders from industry, post-secondary institutions and research institutions.
CARIC was established through funding support from industry and the federal government, with a mandate to lead the advancement of R&D in the aerospace sector at a national level.
“The establishment of this agreement represents a significant milestone to CARIC’s deployment,” CARIC president and CEO Denis Faubert said. “Collaborations with organizations such as the OAC and the OCE will enable an inclusive, impactful aerospace research network, which is an integral part of CARIC’s vision.”
The OAC will provide “strategic thrust” for the partnership.
“Establishing a mechanism for Ontario aerospace companies to access collaborative R&D opportunities is essential to competing on a global scale.” OAC chair Todd Young said. “This relationship will not only provide maximum access to funding opportunities in an easier format, but also it will ensure that all Ontario aerospace companies will have the opportunity to participate in a unified way.”
