Bell Textron Canada holds a critical role as a premier aerospace company and Canada’s only helicopter manufacturer, continuously driving vertical life innovation forward to elevate transportation. On March 25, our team joined the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology to discuss the Development and Support of the Aerospace Industry. Steeve Lavoie, President of Bell Textron Canada, delivered an address highlighting the need for a procurement strategy that supports Canadian businesses.

“The Government of Canada must make domestic procurement a priority if it is to meet its needs for national security and defence products and services. Canada must implement a Canadian content-based procurement strategy and support its industrial capacity as all other countries do. This committee is looking for solutions to support our industry. We believe this is one and that Canada could implement it now, given the impending [Royal Canadian] Air Force flight training program, which is being selected.”

This sentiment is echoed by other industry leaders as well as the Aerospace Industries Association Canada (AIAC) and the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) among others.