The Government of Canada, through Prairies Economic Development Canada, is investing in Winnipeg-based defence suppliers to help them expand both their defence and civilian offerings
The global environment is changing, and Canada's security and sovereignty depend on having the domestic capacity to build, maintain, and supply critical military equipment and national defence services here at home.
Today, the Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, announced $19.5 million in federal funding through the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) for three Winnipeg-based projects that will help strengthen Canada's defence industrial capacity:
- Magellan Aerospace Limited's establishment of an advanced machining centre in Winnipeg to enhance production capabilities necessary for aircraft components used in a variety of military aircraft. This represents a federal investment of $8 million.
- StandardAero's expansion of their Winnipeg campus for dual-use aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capacity, including the acquisition and installation of new equipment, and integration of advanced digital technologies. This represents a federal investment of $8 million.
- Win-Shield Devices' establishment of a manufacturing facility for personal protection equipment for military and civilian applications, including inclusive respirators. This represents an investment of $3.5 million.
These investments will help strengthen Manitoba's aerospace and manufacturing sectors, grow industrial capacity in Winnipeg, and ensure Canadian companies are better positioned to support dual defence and civilian needs. In support of the Government of Canada's commitment to build a strong Canada and build more of what we need within our borders, these projects are expected to create over 150 jobs, maintain more than 100 jobs, and support more than 10 small and medium-sized businesses in Manitoba.
