The Québec Government’s 2017 Budget

Several measures facilitating the digital shift and the development of future skills in aerospace

Montréal, March 28, 2017 — Aéro Montréal, Québec’s aerospace cluster, is very satisfied with the 2017-2018 budget tabled today by Québec Finance Minister Carlos J. Leitao. Several of the measures announced today are aligned with the challenges faced by Québec’s aerospace companies. They focus, in particular, on innovation, the knowledge-based economy and creativity to enhance the companies’ productivity and competitiveness, locally and internationally.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES: Success drivers for SMEs
“In its budget, the Québec government recognizes the importance of developing transformative technologies with investments aimed at creating a super-cluster in artificial intelligence and developing the sector of virtual reality,” says Suzanne M. Benoît, President of Aéro Montréal. “These new technologies alone present enormous potential for our aerospace companies. This announcement is even more important because it is accompanied by a recognition of the metropolitan status of Montréal, known globally as a hub for new technologies.”
“Aéro Montréal is currently setting up the MACH FAB 4.0 Initiative, announced in the Québec Aerospace Strategy, and these new investments once again demonstrate the Québec government’s support for the transition of our companies to the age of digitalization,” adds Mrs. Benoît.

INVESTING IN R&D: A priority for our companies
Minister Leitao’s budget also prioritizes initiatives to enhance business conditions for companies so that they can be more productive and competitive. “By providing incentives to help companies invest in R&D and acquire leading-edge equipment, SMEs will have a greater capacity for technological innovation,” says Mrs. Benoît. “They will be better equipped to position themselves advantageously in global supply chains.” In this regard, the Québec government will soon announce its new Québec Research and Innovation Strategy.

HUMAN CAPITAL: Central to the success of companies
The Québec aerospace cluster also welcomes measures related to the promotion of education and the training of human capital. These support an alignment between company needs and workforce skills through continuous training, which is essential. Combined with budgetary initiatives aimed at developing a strategy for attracting international students to Québec, aerospace companies will be able to have access to a pool of next-generation workers as well as a more specialized and qualified labour force to meet changing needs stemming from the digital shift.
“In a White Paper on 4.0 skills in aerospace, released last fall, Aéro Montréal underscored the critical importance of raising young people’s awareness about aerospace careers, bringing more women into aerospace, and increasing cultural diversity in our sector,” says Ms. Benoît. “In this regard, the Québec government is orientating its initiatives to respond to the challenges facing research centres and universities, which are key partners in supporting our industry.”

About Aéro Montréal
Created in 2006, Aéro Montréal is a strategic think tank that groups all major decision makers in Québec’s aerospace sector, including companies, educational and research institutions, as well as associations and unions.
Aéro Montréal’s mission is to engage Québec's aerospace cluster with a view to increasing its growth and expansion on the global scene. Its vision is to become a benchmark in global aerospace. To this end, it champions the following values: excellence, engagement, collaboration, versatility and innovation.
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Gwenaël Brisé
Manager, Communications
Aéro Montréal
Off: 514 987-9395 | cell. : 438 497-3857
gwenael.brise@aeroMontréal.ca