Economic News/Trends and Analysis — March 11, 2010

The Canadian Aerospace Industry praises the federal government for recognizing Space as a strategic capability for Canada

OTTAWA, March 11 /CNW Telbec/ - The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) is pleased that the federal government has recognized Space as a strategic sector for Canada. The government's understanding of the important role that Space technologies can play in meeting its priorities is very positive for our industry.

Funding was granted to the Canadian Space Agency through the 2010 federal budget for the completion of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission. This important measure will ensure that Canada maintains its standing as a world leader in supplying high-quality, low-cost and innovative satellite systems.

"The Canadian Space sector is an important component of the aerospace industry," said Dr Claude Lajeunesse, President and CEO of AIAC. "Canada boasts many of the best workers and Space capabilities in the world, and this funding will play an important role in keeping these key strategic capabilities in Canada. For this reason, AIAC is pleased that Parliament voted to support the 2010 budget and the measures put forward."

The RADARSAT Constellation Mission will build on the success of RADARSAT-2 and provide Canada with the capacity to meet its critical national needs in the areas of sovereignty and security, environmental monitoring and protection and resource management.

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    The 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 generated in 2008 $23,6 billion and
    employed more than 83,000 Canadians. Eighty-two per cent of Canadian
    aerospace products were exported. AIAC represents the interests of 400
    aerospace companies across Canada.
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For further information: Maryse Harvey, Vice-President Public Affairs, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, (613) 760-4562, mharvey@aiac.ca

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