Canadian Aerospace Industry Continues to Grow, Leads Manufacturing Sector

August 24, 2015
News Release
Management

A joint annual report released by the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) and Industry Canada indicates that the Canadian aerospace industry continued to grow in 2014, increasing its national economic footprint and posting best-in-class results for the Canadian manufacturing sector.

AIAC is the national association representing the country’s aerospace manufacturing and services sector. As the world’s fifth-largest aerospace industry, it contributes $29 billion to the economy in GDP, exports 80 percent of its output, and is responsible for the employment of 180,000 Canadians.

“Canadians can be proud of our world-class aerospace industry and the economic benefits it generates across the country,” said Industry Minister James Moore. “The 2015 report highlights Canada’s global leadership in aerospace and the important contributions the industry makes to Canada’s GDP, job creation, and the country’s innovation performance. If we are to continue punching above our weight in aerospace, we must build on our successes.”

Key findings in the 2015 State of the Canadian Aerospace Industry report include:

Compared to the Canadian manufacturing average, aerospace has five times the R&D intensity, more than double the productivity growth, and 47 percent more skilled labor.
The Canadian aerospace industry is a global industry leader in key niche segments, including civil flight simulation and the production of small engines. The country also is second in business and regional aircraft production, and third in overall civil aircraft production and in general aviation production.
To integrate into global supply chains, Canadian aerospace manufacturers are incurring greater upfront costs, reducing lead times, and being asked to take on greater risk compared to the national manufacturing average.

“The State of the Industry report reveals a national industry that all Canadians can be proud of: an economic contributor, a top manufacturing sector, and a global industry leader,” said Jim Quick, president and CEO of AIAC.