Montréal, Monday, November 2, 2020 ‒ The Strategic Forum on the aerospace and air travel sectors took place under the banner of innovation and mobilization, attracting close to 500 virtual participants, as part of the Relaunch MTL movement powered by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal and partners. Over 25 industry experts and leaders spoke at the event, discussing priority efforts to promote the relaunch of this key economic sector that has contributed to Quebec’s international reputation.
During the event, many strategic industry partners, including workers’ associations, private enterprises and political leaders, identified issues and challenges that affect the aerospace and air travel sectors. Industry players raised concerns about project managers relocating links in the production chain. In addition to financial aid to the sector, participants indicated that “supporting innovation and the use of new technology” should be the priority in the government’s response as part of a collaborative working session.
Participants identified opportunities to seize and priority efforts for reinforcing and promoting a return to rapid growth. Adopting an ambitious national policy for aerospace to remain internationally competitive in the long term must be a government priority, along with supporting the integration of new technologies in the industry. For sector actors, priorities include investing in research and development for green aircraft and accelerating the integration of technology to manufacturing engineering.
These solutions were identified following a situational analysis presented in the Action Plan to Strengthen the Aerospace and Air Travel Sectors, co-developed by the Chamber and Aéro Montréal, in cooperation with KPMG. This plan notably pointed to Quebec’s capacity to export its aviation sector production beyond Canada’s borders, consolidating its presence on the global stage, Montréal’s position among major international airports despite the slowdown in activities caused by the pandemic, and the many jobs created by the industry, where the rate of production has declined significantly.
“Today’s event marked an important step in mobilizing the aerospace sector,” said Michel Leblanc, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. “The pandemic risks weakening the entire aerospace ecosystem, which is fundamental for a modern economy and for the strength of a major city like Montréal. Governments are listening and indicating their intention to intervene based on the needs of the sector. Avenues of solutions discussed during the forum could be a major aid to decision making. We need to organize and mobilize around what must be done as a priority for the sector to position itself for the future and emerge from the crisis even more robust.”
“In these difficult times for our industry, we are seeing new levels of mobilization among the main leaders in every segment of the supply chain, different levels of government and actors in the financial community, in particular due to the Alliance for Aerospace Recovery – a Aéro Montréal initiative which teased out the first potential solutions in record time,” said Suzanne M. Benoît, president of Aéro Montréal. “To ensure the survival of this industry of 43,400 skilled workers across the province, we have to innovate and focus on a green recovery in a more consolidated ecosystem that is increasingly focused on ecomobility. The innovations we are promoting today will ultimately enable us to make our mark again on the international stage.”
The action plan enhanced with input from a participative session held as part of the Forum will soon be available on the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal website. While awaiting the updated version, you can find the action plan here.
About the Strategic Forum on aerospace
The Strategic Forum on aerospace, which is part of the Relaunch MTL movement, is jointly developed by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal and Aéro Montréal, in cooperation with YUL Aéroport International Montréal-Trudeau.
About the Relaunch MTL movement
The Relaunch MTL movement is powered by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, the Government of Canada, the Government of Québec, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal and the Ville de Montréal, in association with Investissement Québec and the Palais des congrès de Montréal, and in cooperation with the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, CN, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ and KPMG. The movement is also created with the support of Air Canada, CGI, Desjardins, Hydro-Québec, La Presse, Montreal Gazette, RBC Royal Bank and Rio Tinto, and in partnership with Aéro Montréal, AluQuébec, the Association de la construction du Québec, the Quebec Film and Television Council, CargoM – Logistic and Transportation Metropolitan Cluster of Montréal, the Conseil québécois du commerce de détail, Culture Montréal, Écotech Québec, Femmessor, Finance Montréal, the Fonds de recherche du Québec, La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec, mmode – the Metropolitan Fashion Cluster, Montréal International, Montréal InVivo, Numana, Propulsion Québec and Tourisme Montréal. More details on the movement at www.relaunchMTL.ca.
About the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal
With a network of over 8,000 members, the CCMM is active on two fronts: being the voice of the Montréal business community and delivering specialized services to businesses and their representatives. With its finger on the pulse of current events, it acts on issues that are decisive for the prosperity of the city’s businesses. With the support of the Acclr experts, the CCMM’s goal is to accelerate the creation and growth of businesses of all sizes, at home and around the world.
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Twitter: @chambremontreal
To continue the discussion: #RelançonsMTL
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Source: Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal
Information: Caroline Des Rosiers, 514-880-2881, cdesrosiers@national.ca
Related link:
http://www.relaunchMTL.ca