New national aerospace consortium to foster leadership in technology

A new national aerospace initiative intended to solidify Canada’s position as a leader in the field was launched last week in Montreal. The Consortium for Aerospace Research and Innovation in Canada (CARIC) was launched during the 7th Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec (CRIAQ) forum. The new body is intended to function as a national research and technology network that will identify strategic aerospace technology areas and facilitate collaborative research and development, according to a statement released by CARIC. It is a joint initiative of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) and CRIAQ.

CONSORTIUM FOR AEROSPACE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN CANADA

The president and CEO of CRIAQ, Clement Fortin, said that the new consortium will give participating organizations a competitive advantage and boost aerospace innovation in Canada. “The principal objective of this national initiative is to reach and connect the aerospace Research and Technology community across Canada, contribute to the country’s technology roadmap and foster scientific skills penetration in industry while training highly qualified people through research,” he said.

The head of AIAC called it a “tremendous milestone” for the aerospace industry, one that will keep the industry “flying high” in Canada. CARIC will help Canadian companies produce the cutting-edge technologies that are needed to stay ahead in the “fiercely competitive” global markets.

Bombardier Aerospace, Canada’s largest player in the global aerospace market, also welcomed the launch of CARIC.  François Caza, Vice President and Chief Engineer, Bombardier Aerospace expressed his company’s commitment to the development of the new national network. “This close collaboration of all aerospace players in Canada will contribute greatly to our competitiveness on the global scale,” he said.

The creation of CARIC follows one of the recommendations of the Aerospace Review Report, a report tabled after a comprehensive review of the industry that was mandated by the federal government in 2011.

CARIC will be industry driven with “strong academic presence and collaboration,” with financial support from two levels of government, industry, universities and research institutions. The Polytechnique Montréal, which was a founding member of CRIAQ, has pledged to cooperate fully with the new endeavour. Polytechnique is the only university in Quebec that offers a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, as well as graduate degrees.

 

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