TORONTO (August 23, 2022) – Thanks to funding from the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Downsview Aerospace Innovation & Research (DAIR) will launch new initiatives to help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Ontario aerospace industry develop and advance their capabilities, focus on greening and sustainability in products and operations, and become more competitive. For the aerospace sector more widely, these initiatives will foster increased efficiency in supply chain development and advance sustainability in research and development and commercialization.
DAIR is a not-for-profit consortium that brings together academics, companies, research organizations and government stakeholders around a shared goal – to advance Ontario’s and Canada’s global aerospace industry leadership.
The $2.68-million investment through FedDev Ontario’s Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI) will support two initiatives to be launched in fall 2022: the Supplier Development Initiative and the Green Fund – both of which support DAIR’S mission to help drive innovation in the aerospace and aviation sectors.
The DAIR Supplier Development Initiative will improve the competitiveness of the Ontario aerospace ecosystem by helping SMEs assess their strategic positioning and capabilities and then, alongside mentorship from OEMs and Tier 1s, to implement better business practices to improve their maturity, capabilities and productivity.
The Green Fund will help the aerospace industry accelerate a green shift by focusing on new technologies and processes. Designed to support the work of SMEs, the Green Fund will provide direct financial support for collaborative projects with the potential to make an impact on the future of aerospace through sustainable and green aviation technologies and solutions.
Together, the new DAIR initiatives will provide opportunities for up to 24 Ontario SMEs. Both will support the revitalization and continued growth of the aerospace industry during a pivotal time, as Canada emerges from the worst impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Investing in the work and capabilities of SMEs will yield long-term benefits for the nation’s aerospace sector and the broader Canadian economy,” says Maryse Harvey, executive director of DAIR. “Stronger Canadian companies will be well positioned to compete and thrive in the global aerospace industry, which is projected to grow substantially over the next decade.”
On the day of the FedDev Ontario funding announcement, the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, toured the current DAIR facilities, including the Toronto Metropolitan University Aerospace Engineering Centre, where faculty, graduate students and industry partners work on R&D projects; and the Bombardier Centre for Aerospace and Aviation at Centennial College, a state-of-the-art campus for training and partnerships.
The Minister also had the opportunity to learn more about the planned physical growth of the DAIR hub facilities to support co-location of industry and academia, which will include the restoration of the heritage Moth Building and the DAIR Innovation Centre.
“Small and medium-sized aerospace businesses have an important role to play in southern Ontario’s economic recovery, which is why the Government of Canada is committed to supporting them and protecting the thousands of workers this sector employs. Organizations like Downsview Aerospace Innovation & Research are helping strengthen our region’s future economy, while working towards greening Canada’s aerospace sector,” says the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
DAIR recognizes that as part of the recovery and growth plan, the aerospace industry will need to engage new people in the sector to fill vital roles both now and in the future. It will be key to engage youth, underrepresented groups and those looking to transfer into the industry. As part of the funding received, DAIR will be hosting awareness events to promote the sector as a career path, encouraging under-represented groups and youth to engage, bringing new ideas and expanding diversity to stimulate the growth of the aerospace industry. DAIR will also be hosting events to spur discussions on commercialization and supply chain improvements across the aerospace industry.
About DAIR
Downsview Aerospace Innovation & Research (DAIR) is a not-for-profit whose mission is to revolutionize the collaboration environment by catalyzing innovation in aerospace and beyond. DAIR supports its members by offering access to state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure to accelerate leading-edge and sustainable research and technology adoption; creating training solutions for the business and technology challenges of today and tomorrow; providing a platform for industry, academia, and government synergies, to foster and advance R&D partnerships; and advocation for the aerospace industry locally, nationally, and globally. Twitter Instagram LinkedIn
About FedDev Ontario
For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Contacts:
Samantha Glover
Senior Coordinator, Outreach and Promotion, DAIR
communications@dairhub.com
Monica Granados
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Monica.Granados@feddevontario.gc.ca
