MP Chahal announces federal investments to grow Alberta’s aerospace and aviation industry

The aerospace and aviation sector in Alberta is contributing significantly to the diversification of local economies and the creation of well-paying jobs in towns throughout the province, with over 500 small and medium-sized enterprises employing thousands of people. To increase the competitiveness of this significant industry, the Government of Canada is working with partners such as enterprises, communities, industry associations, and post-secondary schools.

On behalf of the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan, Calgary Skyview Member of Parliament George Chahal today highlighted five initiatives that are helping Alberta become a leader in aerospace and aviation innovation and have received more than $4.3 million in PrairiesCan funding. Among the projects are:

• The Alberta Aviation & Aerospace Council will receive more than $186,000 to plan and present the Alberta Aerospace and Defence Conference in Edmonton in 2026 and Calgary in 2025. This brand-new in-person event will assist in connecting small and medium-sized businesses in Alberta with international defense contractors for investment and procurement opportunities.
• More than $100,000 will be used by Elevate Aviation to create and implement a mentorship program that gives access to professional development courses, networking opportunities, and individualized mentorship connections. This will ultimately help underrepresented groups find employment while meeting the need for qualified workers in the aerospace and aviation sectors. The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is investing more than $1.4 million to establish a laboratory for aircraft composite materials.
• Advanced composite material innovations offer the potential to improve aircraft performance while lessening the aviation industry’s environmental impact. To assist cutting-edge research in the aerospace manufacturing industry, this new lab has state-of-the-art manufacturing and testing equipment in addition to a staff of knowledgeable researchers and engineers.
• More than $50,000 will be used by Sturgeon County to create an ecosystem map and report on the value chain of Alberta’s aerospace and defense industries. The County and sector partners are better able to find and link local small business suppliers to larger firms thanks to this project. UVAD Technologies Inc. will receive $2.6 million to develop, test, and market an electric fixed-wing uncrewed aerial vehicle.
• More than 360 jobs and more than 330 small and medium-sized businesses are anticipated to gain from today’s initiatives. These initiatives are about working together on local priorities and building on local strengths to take advantage of opportunities for success in a sustainable net-zero Prairie economy, which is in keeping with the tenets of the Government of Canada’s Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy.