Canadian Aerospace Summit held in Ottawa

The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada held their 2012 Canadian Aerospace Summit at the Ottawa Convention Centre on December 5th and 6th.

AIAC CEO Jim Quick introduced a full slate of speakers and seminars covering issues from the legislative environment to NASA procurement. Some 650 delegates from industry, government and the military attended the event. Quick noted that this year is the 50th anniversary of Canada in space.

In 1962, the Canadian designed and built Alouette communications satellite made Canada the third nation to orbit a satellite, after the US and the Soviet Union.

The Minister of Industry, the Hon. Christian Paradis delivered the opening address, noting that "we have some of the strongest economic fundamentals in the world. The manufacturing sector is the foundation on which the economy is built. The aerospace industry supports 160,000 direct and indirect jobs, with productivity growth that has outpaced the G20".

Hélène V. Gagnon, the Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility at Bombardier Aerospace was also elected Chair of the Board of the AIAC for 2012-2013.

Gagnon was officially welcomed to her new role at by Quick at the AIAC's Annual General Meeting on Dec. 5^th.

She succeeded David Schellenberg, President of Cascade Aerospace, who occupied the role over the course of the past year.

"I am greatly honoured to serve as Chair of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) for 2012-2013, and I look forward to working with the Board and membership over the coming year as we face the challenges and unparalleled opportunities which lie ahead," said Gagnon.

"2013 will be a critical year for our industry. With the publication of the Emerson Aerospace Policy Review Report, we will now concentrate our efforts on transforming its recommendations into actions, policies and budget items.”

“The AIAC looks forward to working together with the government to ensure the timely implementation of the report's findings," she concluded.