Aéro Montreal, Quebec's aerospace cluster, welcomes the Government of Canada's decision to provide $372.5 million to Bombardier. These funds, made in the form of repayable loans, will be dedicated to research and development (R&D) activities for the Global 7000 and CSeries business jet programs.

"With this financial assistance, the federal government is sending a positive message to the entire Quebec and Canadian aerospace industry to encourage innovation," says Suzanne M. Benoit, President of Aero Montreal.

The aerospace sector in Quebec represents more than 40,000 jobs and 200 companies, including nearly 180 SMEs. More than 70% of Canadian aerospace R&D takes place in the Greater Montreal area. As such, the government's investment will have a direct impact on many local companies and will help to maintain and create quality jobs in Quebec.

"This is an important milestone for the entire supply chain that will be impacted by this announcement," notes Ms. Benoit. "The involvement of both levels of government in innovation must continue in order to support our industry over the long term. By leveraging the aerospace sector, the government is looking to the future since new technological challenges are on the horizon for our SMEs, which want to remain among the best in the world."