Aerospace

General Industry Profile

Counting more than 42,000 specialized workers divided among more than 236 companies, Greater Montréal is one of the three major world aerospace hubs. Recognized for its state-of-the-art expertise, the Montréal aerospace business cluster is comprised of world-class manufacturers of aircrafts, engines, simulators, equipment and specialized subcontractors and suppliers. Metropolitan Montréal likewise benefits from the presence of three major international organizations in the aerospace sector: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Airline Telecommunication and Information Services (SITA). Montréal’s expertise in the aerospace sector is recognized worldwide. It notably includes approximately twenty recent aircraft certifications and an even higher number of engine certifications.

Key Figures

• More than 42,000 employees divided among more than 236 companies (2008)
• Annual sales of more than $12B (2008)
• Québec is responsible for approximately 60% of Canada's total aerospace production (2007)
• Approximately 80% of Greater Montréal's aerospace production is exportated (2007)
• Québec carries out approximately 70% of Canada's R&D in aerospace (2007)

Benefits of the Region

Labour

• Several training programs in various aerospace engineering specialties are offered at four major Montréal universities: Concordia University, Université de Montréal, McGill University and the École de Technologie Supérieure.
• Specialized technical training is provided by several professional and technical teaching programs, including the École des métiers de l’aérospatiale de Montréal (EMAM), the National Institute of Aeronautics [École nationale d’aérotechnique (ENA)] and the Institut de formation aérospatiale (IFA). The Centre d’adaptation de la main-d’œuvre aérospatiale au Québec (CAMAQ)] ensures that affiliated companies are closely tied to the Québec education system. Training programs are also adapted to the needs of each company.

New academic programs of study are regularly created to meet  industry needs, such as the Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, which is offered jointly by five Québécois universities.

R&D

Greater Montréal has more than 10 aerospace research centres, including:
 

• The National Research Council of Canada's (NRC) Institute for Aerospace Research (IAR), is a leader in aerospace innovation thanks to its R&D programs, partnerships and collaboration with partners in the industry, government and universities.
• The Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ), brings together companies, engineering schools and schools affiliated with Québec universities to jointly support and conduct aerospace research projects.
• The Advanced Aerospace Manufacturing Technology Centre, whose activities aim to improve canada's manufacturing methods and technologies.
• The Canadian Space Agency, which is in charge of coordinating all elements of the Canadian space program.

Incentives

Companies working in the aerospace sector benefit from a specific federal government support program: the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI).

The governments of Canada and Québec offer numerous tax incentives to companies in the aerospace sectors, including up to 20% in tax credits for R&D from the federal government, and 17.5% from the Québec government.

In addition to the tax credits for R&D, numerous other financial and tax incentives are offered to companies. Please contact us to determine if you are eligible for one of the following programs:

• Financial aid for the creation of jobs and training
• Tax holidays for foreign experts and researchers
• Tax credit linked to the design of software programs
• Investment plan feasibility studyIndustrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
• Strategic Investment Support Program [Programme d’appui stratégique à l’investissement (PASI)]
• Economic Projects Support Program [Programme de soutien aux projets économiques (PSPE)]
• Technology Showcase Program
• PR@M Industry

Costs

In the Aerospace sector, Greater Montréal offers very competitive operating costs. According to the Competitive Choices study conducted by KPMG in 2008, Greater Montréal ranks 4th among the top 20 largest metropolitan regions of Canada and the United States taking into account labour costs, industrial and office space costs and energy costs.

Main Leaders

• Bombardier Aéronautique: 3rd largest worldwide manufacturer of commercial planes
• Bell Helicopter Textron: first worldwide producer of rotary wing civil aircrafts
• Pratt & Whitney Canada: world leader in the design, manufacture and maintenance of engines installed in commercial planes, general aviation equipment, regional transport planes and helicopters
• CAE: 1st worldwide supplier of commercial flight simulators (more than 85% of the world market)