The federal government says it is welcoming a $61 million investment from Boeing in BCs aerospace sector - and that includes cash for an Indigenous-owned business in Parksville.
Canada’s investment to procure up to 16 P-8A aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force, which was announced in November, will support over 3,000 jobs and add approximately $358 million to Canada's economy, every year for the next 10 years.
Boeing will invest $48 million to build research and development capacity within Boeing’s Vancouver facility.
In particular, Boeing’s investment is geared towards data analytics technologies to enhance program management, aircraft sustainability and performance.
Boeing will also invest $13 million into Indigenous-owned COTA Aviation, based in Parksville.
That will help establish a hands-on aerospace manufacturing training facility geared towards increasing the representation and participation of Indigenous peoples in aerospace and defence.
The program will train 10 workers per year and will help develop a workforce that is capable of filling needed manufacturing positions.
Workers will be trained to operate modern and advanced manufacturing equipment, including robotic automation.
COTA will also assist Indigenous learners in work placement at the end of the program.
These initiatives will contribute to job creation and skills development in British Columbia.
The P-8A will replace Canada’s current maritime patrol aircraft, the CP-140 Aurora, which has been in service for more than 40 years.
The P-8A will provide Canada an advanced multi-mission platform to conduct maritime and overland surveillance in defence of Canada and to support our allies.
The feds had earlier announced they are also spending $2.5 billion on 11 armed drones, some of which will be based at CFB Comox.
The first delivery is anticipated in 2028 and full operational capability by 2033.
At home, the drone system will allow the CAF to monitor Canada’s large territory and long coastline, supporting civilian aid operations such as responding to forest fires and floods.
The aircraft will be stationed at 19 Wing Comox, and 14 Wing Greenwood, NS.
The air force says about 25 CAF and DND personnel will be stationed in Comox, 55 in Nova Scotia, and 160 personnel at the ground control centre in Ottawa.
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