AIAC Pacific News

Hon. Ed Fast leads trade mission to South Korea

December 16, 2014

The Trade Commissioner Service, led by the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, is organizing a trade mission to Seoul and Busan, South Korea, February 8-13, 2015. This trade mission to South Korea will be a significant, multi-sector mission highlighting the breadth of business opportunities in the South Korean market and the benefits for Canadian businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises, of the soon to be implemented Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement. For more information, write to korea-mission-coree@international.gc.ca or visit the Trade Mission website.

Presentations from R&D Incentives Workshop now available

November 28, 2014

The R&D Incentives workshop held November 6 in Vancouver drew positive reviews from the 40 participants, several of whom requested copies of the three presentations. They are now available to download: The Pathway to R&D Funding in Canada (Presenter: Karen Chan, KPMG) – The Government of Canada provides nearly $3.6 billion in SR&ED (Scientific Research & Experimental Development) tax credits to support industry-led innovation.  In 2012, Ottawa committed $1.1 billion per year to double support offered through the Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP). In addition, Economic Action Plan 2014 provided $8 million over two years to Mitacs to expand training support for next-generation R&D managers and innovators.  Yet, many SMEs are not maximizing access to available funding because they often struggle to understand the administrative process or eligibility requirements. In this presentation, learn about funding niches and partnering opportunities to better match your operational needs throughout the research-to-commercialization life cycle in Aerospace Engineering and Clean Energy Technology. R&D Shift™  (Presenter: Kevin Wong, Stonecracker Scientific Law) – Recent changes to both SR&ED law, and IRB/ITB benefits law, have created the potential for Canadian Aerospace companies – both large and SMEs – to dramatically increase their benefits and bottom lines. This presentation provides information on how large companies can leverage these changes to more than double their SR&ED benefits and attain IRB/ITB benefits by nine to 36 times, and how SMEs can achieve breakthrough levels of funding, positioning and branding opportunities. Industry Collaboration Simplified (Presenter: Robert Grace, Mitacs) – when multi-national obligors are looking to invest R&D dollars in Canada, how do they know which SME and research institution partners will best meet their objectives? Mitacs specializes in developing collaboration models that bring together MNEs and Canadian industry and academia to create innovation and embed Canadian SMEs into the global supply chain. BC-based Mitacs, with 25 offices across the country and links with 60 research institutions, also helps manage collaboration projects and brings research funding to the table. This presentation outlines collaboration models that Mitacs develops and pursues along with how Canadian SMEs can get involved, and describes the “Converge” pilot project.

B.C. Aerospace Industry Spotlighted as World Leaders in B.C. Jobs Plan Update

October 9, 2014

B.C. government reaffirms commitment to grow economy and strengthen communities; B.C. aerospace industry spotlighted as world leaders   British Columbia’s burgeoning aerospace industry and its ability to create well-paying jobs for a prosperous B.C. future is among the highlights of the three-year update for the Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan reaffirming the provincial government’s commitment to grow the economy and strengthen communities. More than a plan Premier Christy Clark said the update is much more than a checklist of the plan’s progress, but an opportunity for new commitments to help create long-term, well-paying jobs that also strengthen B.C. families. “I am proud of what we’ve accomplished. We have a near-record 2.3 million people working in B.C. and there was $3.9 billion in economic growth last year. The full report of our progress is online at bcjobsplan.ca.” said Clark. Among the eight sector updates is Manufacturing Innovation, highlighting progress in the B.C. aerospace industry, which the provincial government boosted last year by committing $5 million over five years to “unify and grow” it. B.C. aerospace industry in government spotlight In the update, the government shone the spotlight on the aerospace industry, saying “with our close proximity to the Pacific Northwest aerospace cluster, British Columbia’s aerospace manufacturers are positioned to be world leaders. “Companies like Cascade Aerospace, CHC Helicopter, Kelowna Flightcraft, Viking Air, ASCO Aerospace, MDA Corporation and many others are building B.C.’s reputation in this industry.” Already the B.C. aerospace manufacturing and services sector generates $1.2 billion in revenues annually and employs more than 10,000 British Columbians. Serving as the voice of the industry in B.C. is AIAC Pacific, based in Abbotsford and part of the larger Aerospace Industries Association of Canada. Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour at the time of the first $1 million commitment to AIAC’s Pacific Partnership Program stated it was “money well spent. The growth will have a significant effect on the province’s economy . . . and that is one of the main goals we set as part of the B.C. Jobs Plan.” B.C.’s competitive business environment ready for investors, one million job openings The update report indicated that the government has acted to ensure that B.C. has one of the most competitive business environments for investment and that British Columbians are prepared for the expected one million job openings encompassing all employment sectors over the next decade. “Our economic success isn’t measured on a monthly basis; success is measured in terms of outcomes over time,” said the report. David Schellenberg, chair of AIAC Pacific, said the government’s investment in the aerospace industry will not only help accelerate global growth opportunities, but will also provide tremendous benefits to the economy. KPMG is now conducting a comprehensive economic impact analysis of the B.C. aerospace industry as part of five specific AIAC Pacific activities that include expanding international trade opportunities and building strategies for developing new technologies and heightening competitiveness.

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