Notes for an address by

The Honourable Lynne Yelich
Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification

Third Party Funding Announcement

Check Against Delivery

Thank you Mr. Daniels (emcee).

Commissioner McKnight, Chief Bear, Mr. Morris (SIIT President), Mr. Barton and Mr. Wylong (both from Lockheed Martin Canada).

Good morning.

I’m pleased to join you today for Lockheed Martin’s announcement of their latest commitment to the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies’ Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Program at the Aviation Learning Centre...

Having a shared interest in Industrial and Regional Benefits in the West, our Government was proud to invest $1.6 million for the construction of the Aviation Learning Centre, which will be the training facility for this program.

I understand that approximately 30 students will attend the aircraft maintenance engineering program and I look forward to seeing the first round of students enter the training program this fall.

A priority for our Government is to ensure Canada has a competitive marketplace.

Being competitive in the modern economy means having the skills and training to adapt to a changing global market.

This is why the Government of Canada is working to ensure that Canadians have access to training programs such as the one we are announcing today.

This training program will prepare more people in our community for good quality jobs, and supply the aviation industry with the skilled workers they desperately need.

We are also working to ensure First Nations have access to the same educational opportunities as other Canadians.

The Canadian economy is emerging from the downturn as one of the strongest and most resilient in the developed world.

We will continue our work creating and protecting jobs, building infrastructure, easing the tax burden on families, supporting Canadians who have lost their jobs, helping threatened industries, and laying the foundation for our future prosperity.

As stated earlier, a key priority for our department is securing high-quality Industrial and Regional Benefits for the West.

Our vision is to leverage IRBs to develop and diversify the economy of Western Canada.

We are achieving this vision by:

• First, we identify key federal procurement opportunities for the West;
• Second, we promote western Canadian companies and capabilities, and connect them with global aerospace and defence companies;
• And third, we work collaboratively to build the knowledge infrastructure required to build and sustain this industry in the future.

Today’s announcement from Lockheed Martin represents a great success for the IRB policy and the work of Western Economic Diversification Canada and Industry Canada with the aerospace industry.

Our Government recognizes the strategic importance of the Canadian aerospace industry, as aerospace in Western Canada directly supports over 15,000 jobs and generates more than $4 billion in annual revenue.

I am happy to see the immediate employment created by this project, and look forward to the long-term results as more Canadians receive this specialized training and are employed with aviation interests both locally and across the country.

I am confident that investments such as this one will help ensure the West remains strong.

Because a stronger West means a stronger Canada.

Thank you.