WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT TO WISCONSIN: A wide variety of operations throughout the country may present opportunities for Wisconsin companies that offer goods and services to the aerospace industry.
Canada’s aerospace industry continues to be a major driver of the country’s economy, according to the State of Canada’s Aerospace Industry report released in July 2024.
The report, by the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada and Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, showed that the sector pumped nearly $29 billion CAD ($21 billion USD) into the gross domestic product (GDP)and provided 218,000 jobs in 2023. That was an increase of $1.7 billion CAD ($1.2 billion USD) in GDP and 5,400 jobs.
Aerospace is No. 1 in research and development among manufacturing industries in Canada, at a level 3.6 times higher than the manufacturing average, the report said. In addition, Canada is among the top five countries worldwide for production of civil flight simulators, civil engines, and civil aircraft subsectors. Defense production represented 25% of Canadian aerospace revenues, and aerospace exports were valued at $19 billion CAD ($14 billion USD).
On a regional basis, Canada has strengths in several locations, including:
• The Greater Montréal area in Quebec is the world’s third largest aerospace manufacturing center, after Toulouse, France and Seattle. It is also the only place in the world where an entire aircraft can be assembled from locally manufactured components. Aerospace is Quebec’s leading export industry, with more than $15 billion CAD ($11 billion USD) in annual shipments, according to the McGill University Institute for Aerospace Engineering. In May 2024, Boeing announced a $240 million investment in Quebec’s new aerospace innovation zone in the Montréal region.
• Aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations are strongest in western Canada. In British Columbia, that sector generates $400 million CAD ($292 million USD) a year in revenue, according to the provincial government’s figures. Aerospace manufacturing employs more than 1,000 people and delivers components such as aircraft communication systems and illuminated panels.
• In Alberta, specialties include robotics and unmanned vehicle systems, defense electronics, and military logistical support. Four military bases are located in Alberta. De Havilland Canada is building a new aircraft manufacturing facility east of Calgary that will consist of a state-of-the-art aircraft assembly facility, runway, parts manufacturing and distribution centers, and maintenance repair and overhaul center.
Wisconsin exporters in the aerospace field may find opportunities to collaborate with Canada’s aerospace industry.
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