MONTREAL—The Consortium for Aerospace Research and Innovation in Canada (CARIC) and Industry Canada have signed an agreement with the federal government to receive $30 million over five years, ensuring that aerospace NDT research and technological development will continue to thrive.

The allocation will help CARIC fund collaborative R&TD projects, support its operations and deploy networking activities across Canada. The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry, at the 2014 Aerospace, Defence and Security Expo, in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

“This industry-led network will enhance the global competitiveness of the Canadian aerospace industry by bringing together key players from industry and academia and funding collaborative research and technology development projects to move our industry forward,” indicated James Moore through a release.

The announcement was welcomed by Walter Di Bartolomeo, Chairman of CARIC’s Board of Directors and Vice President, Engineering, Pratt & Whitney Canada: “On behalf of CARIC’s Board of Directors, I am grateful for the federal government’s support. This important milestone enables the official launch of our operations and support to research projects. With these projects, the Canadian aerospace community will stay at the forefront of the industry,” shared Mr. Di Bartolomeo.

Denis Faubert, President and CEO of CARIC, also highlighted the consortium’s strategic role in the Canadian economy. “The relative importance of the aerospace industry to the Canadian economy is second to none in the world,” explained Mr. Faubert. “CARIC will be instrumental in pulling together the resources of the aerospace R&D community across Canada to maintain the leadership of our industry despite tough competition worldwide.”

Industry Canada provided the following statement (excerpted here):

"The net environmental impact of the contribution is expected to be positive over the longer term. The contribution to CARIC will help aerospace companies enhance their competitiveness, which is increasingly tied to advancing environmental standards as companies aim to develop new technologies that make aircraft more fuel efficient and therefore profitable. The technologies developed through CARIC supported projects may lay the foundation for future technologies having an environmental benefit.

For example, as aircraft are made more fuel efficient, the resulting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollution would be reduced thus advancing FSDS Goals 1 (address climate change) and 2 (reduce air pollution). An increase in the fuel efficiency of aircraft resulting from the use of more light-weight technologies, may also reduce the use of natural resources and waste which would advance the FSDS goal 5 (support sustainable use of biological resources). Additionally, as aircraft are designed to use fewer environmentally harmful substances, there would be less toxic dispersion into the air, the water and nature, thus advancing FSDS goals 2 (reduce air pollution), 3 (protect water) and 4 (protect nature).

The contribution to CARIC will help advance the environmental sustainability goals and targets of the 2013-2016 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. The contribution also aligns with Industry Canada’s sustainable development strategy which encourages innovation and competitiveness of businesses through recognition of the benefits of sustainable development and adoption of sustainable technologies."

For more information, visit www.caric.ca and www.ic.gc.ca.