Boeing commits $61M in BC, including a new facility to boost Indigenous representation in aerospace
British Columbia will benefit from the first share of a multibillion-dollar agreement between Ottawa and Boeing Canada to purchase military planes.
This agreement includes commitments for a new training facility focused on Indigenous workers and enhanced research and development at Boeing’s local office, as reported by Financial Post.
The American aviation giant has committed to spending $61m in the province, with $13m allocated to Indigenous-owned COTA Aviation in Parksville, BC, to establish an aerospace manufacturing training facility that will train 10 workers annually.
National Defence Minister Bill Blair announced that the facility aims to increase Indigenous representation in aerospace and defence.
“Workers will be trained to operate modern and advanced manufacturing equipment, including robot automation, and COTA is going to assist Indigenous learners with work placement at the end of their program,” he stated during the announcement at Boeing’s Richmond, BC, offices on Wednesday.
COTA’s CEO Kyle Kusznieryk explained that the funds will also be used to purchase advanced manufacturing equipment to meet growing demand.
“The skills training program is intended to provide high-impact career jobs with minimal barriers. The program not only enhances our internal capabilities but contributes to the broader development of the aerospace workforce,” Kusznieryk said.
The federal government announced last year that it would purchase up to 16 Boeing P-8A Poseidon multi-mission surveillance planes to replace the Aurora aircraft, which has been in service for over 40 years.
This more than $10bn agreement includes a commitment from Boeing to provide $5.4bn worth of business activities and investments in Canada over the next 10 years, supporting 3,000 jobs and utilizing domestic suppliers.
Boeing has also pledged to spend $48m to expand research and development at its Richmond facility, which is part of the agreement to grow its Canadian footprint.
Newly appointed Boeing Canada president Al Meinzinger said this expansion would enhance research and development technology, providing project management tools and analytics to optimize aircraft maintenance, sustainability, and performance for both crewed and uncrewed aircraft.
Minister Blair emphasized the positive impact of Boeing’s investments on the aviation industry, stating, “The investments that Boeing is making here in this facility will create opportunities for Canadian innovation and workers. It will contribute to the Canadian economy. While it is mutually beneficial to Boeing, there is significant benefit to the Canadian workforce and the aeronautics industry in Canada.”
Blair also mentioned that more announcements related to the agreement would be forthcoming for BC. In April, Boeing announced a $17m investment in the Saskatchewan Aviation Learning Centre.
In May, it committed $240m to a Quebec plan aimed at becoming a global hub for developing drones and greener aircraft.
