HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - July 8, 2015) - Industry Canada

The Government of Canada's Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy has led to an important investment in an Atlantic Canada-based firm, securing jobs and economic growth in the Halifax area.

Bluedrop Training and Simulation will receive significant financial and technical support from The Boeing Company to develop a next-generation rear crew trainer for the Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter program. The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), took part in the announcement while visiting the Bluedrop Training and Simulation Centre in Halifax.

Boeing is making this investment as part of its Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy obligations, resulting from the Government's December 2014 purchase of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

Bluedrop and Boeing will create the new rear crew trainer, which they will then be able to market jointly to existing and future CH-47 Chinook buyers. Bluedrop expects this investment will maintain or create as many as 10 jobs.

Quick facts

• The Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy encourages companies to establish or grow their presence in Canada, strengthen Canadian supply chains and develop Canadian industrial capabilities, while providing Canadian-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) with access to global supply chains.
• The ITB Policy's Investment Framework tool directly benefits SMEs by encouraging prime contractors on Government of Canada defence procurements to invest in the research, development and commercialization activities of Canadian-based SMEs.
• Defence procurement plays a major role in the Canadian economy. The Canadian defence sector includes over 650 firms, contributes to the employment of more than 65,000 full-time workers and generates $9.4 billion in revenue.
• Canadian exports of aircraft and of aircraft engines and parts reached a near-record high of $10.8 billion in 2013, a 5.4-percent increase from the previous year.

Quotes

"Leveraging government procurements to benefit Canadian businesses means jobs and economic growth for Canadians. The ITB Policy's Investment Framework means that more small businesses will have greater opportunity to benefit from this growth and provide good jobs like those at Bluedrop Performance Learning here in Halifax."

- The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology)

"I could not be more pleased with the outcome of this program and the support we have received from both Industry Canada and Boeing. The Boeing team has been tremendously helpful, and they clearly take a long- term view of their investment in Canadian industry. That is exactly the kind of relationship we were seeking, and the fact that Industry Canada had the Investment Framework program in place along with the Value Proposition could not have been better for us. It is the ideal scenario for Bluedrop."

- Derrick Rowe, Executive Chairman, Bluedrop Performance Learning

"Building partnerships with small Canadian companies like Bluedrop that merge Boeing expertise in commercial aerospace, defence, advanced research and development and Canadian industry capabilities provides value to Canada. Boeing has a proud history of investing in successful partnerships across Canada that promote research and development of unique technologies."

- Jim Barnes, Director of Business Development in Canada, Boeing Defense, Space & Security

Associated links

- Canada's Defence Procurement Strategy

- Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy

- ITB Policy: Value Proposition Guide

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