Major government, industry announcements made in Abbotsford, B.C. during 2014 Aerospace, Defence and Security Expo

$30M committed for research and technology development, while international commerce and domestic jobs outlook benefit

ABBOTSFORD, BC, Aug. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - Over the course of two days at Tradex in Abbotsford, both government and key aerospace industry stakeholders made announcements that promise to affect the Canadian aerospace industry and the small and medium sized enterprises that support it.

The Aerospace, Defence and Security Expo (ADSE), spearheaded by the recently established Pacific office of Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC), became the perfect platform for suppliers and buyers to get together. This year's successful event saw nearly 400 attendees and delegates, with 47 exhibitors. Twenty-nine provincial and federal government representatives participated, highlighting the importance of ADSE.

Important announcements included:

Addressing the ADSE delegates and exhibitors on behalf of the federal government were Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification and Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services. Michael de Jong, Minister of Finance; Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business; Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour; and Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy each spoke to the provincial government's support of the aerospace industry, further supported by its recent "$5-million dollar commitment to help develop a more unified aerospace industry cluster in B.C. through a partnership agreement with the Aerospace Industry Association of Canada (AIAC) Pacific."

In addition to the government and industry announcements and addresses, AIAC Pacific presented its new website as the primary portal of communication for the industry and its members, and intends to establish a series of panels for the autumn and spring.

About AIAC
AIAC is the national association representing Canada's aerospace manufacturing and services sector. As the world's fifth-largest aerospace industry, Canada's aerospace sector contributes nearly $28B to the economy in GDP, exports 80% of its output, and dedicates over 20% of its activity to research and development (R&D). Aerospace is responsible for the employment of 172,000 Canadians. AIAC represents the interests of over 700 aerospace companies across Canada.

About AIAC Pacific
In December 2013, AIAC announced the creation of AIAC Pacific with a mandate to promote and develop aerospace business in British Columbia by acting as an advocate and facilitator for its members with industry and government. AIAC Pacific speaks with one cohesive voice for the industry; it provides access for BC companies to national and international programs; and aims to develop a strong relationship with the provincial government. AIAC Pacific has a unique relationship with AIAC in that it is the only provincial entity managed by the AIAC. Through this relationship, AIAC Pacific is able to leverage participation in national and international programs designed to enhance business development, investment and global competitiveness.

About ADSE 2014
The 2014 Aerospace, Defence & Security Expo (ADSE), Canada's only expo connected to a major airshow (Abbotsford International Airshow), brings key federal and provincial cabinet ministers, government officials, commercial and military aerospace industry experts, and defence- and security-industry leaders together for learning and networking opportunities August 7 and 8 at Tradex in Abbotsford.

Background Information
The BC aerospace sector is a successful, high value, high technology engineering, manufacturing and service industry. The opportunity for Canadian and international aerospace industry partners to come together to capitalize on assets and capabilities has never been more timely. The current Aerospace Review implementation process has government and industry engaging together like never before to grow the aerospace sector.

Ensuring that business, industry and government are all working together to create opportunities and access to the key technologies required for the aerospace products in the future is critical if we are to grow, create new jobs, and generate increased wealth in our economy.

Supporting high value industry and identifying future opportunities in the long-term is critical to economic growth in the Canadian defence sector. ADSE 2014 provides the international defence community, including senior government officials, military delegations and other industry visitors and exhibitors, access to information about new defence procurement opportunities and Canada's Key Industrial Capabilities, as well as valuable industry exposure and the chance to network with industry, government and complementary service providers.

The security sector in Canada embraces a wide range of activities relating to the local, provincial and federal governments' delivery of crime prevention and investigation, protection of people, property and assets, and law enforcement in general.

SOURCE Aerospace, Defence and Security Expo