FedNor investment of over $1.5 million in Levaero Aviation Inc. expanded a critical industry in the region
February 20, 2026 - Thunder Bay, ON - Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario - FedNor
Canada's defence industry plays a key role in keeping Canadians safe while also creating jobs and strengthening the economy.
The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North, today announced a FedNor investment of $1,503,787 in support of aviation in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.
FedNor funds supported Levaero Aviation Inc.'s Hangar 97 project. The Hangar 97 project included an expansion of their maintenance and refurbishment department associated with the disassembly and reassembly exterior and interior components of aircraft. Specifically, FedNor's support enabled Levaero Aviation to construct an over 500 square meter building to accommodate new equipment and additional staff associated with refurbishment processes. This investment not only strengthened and expanded products and services in the aviation industry in Thunder Bay, it enhanced local capacity for the sector.
Today's announcement helps to expand infrastructure central to regional industries and services, and builds on the Government's commitment to growing the aviation industry in Northern Ontario, which is critical to the domestic defence industry. The Buy Canada plan for supplying the military is a $6.6-billion initiative to prioritize building military equipment at home, hike the share of defence contracts awarded to Canadian firms, and add up to 125,000 new jobs over the next decade. Supporting these types supply and service businesses in the aviation sector is a critical step toward fostering a home-grown approach reflected in the Buy Canadian plan. The plan also supports the Government of Canada's commitment to increase defence spending to 2% of GDP, or approximately $63 billion, in 2025-26, and to 5% of GDP by 2035.
