Supporting Canadian Aerospace Excellence

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 19, 2014) - Industry Canada

The Canadian aerospace industry is a global success story that is setting new standards for innovation, productivity and competitiveness, Industry Minister James Moore told a lunchtime audience today at the 2014 Canadian Aerospace Summit.

The Minister underlined the government's support for aerospace and reiterated its commitment to supporting the manufacturing industry and establishing the right economic conditions for success. These included lowering taxes, cutting the corporate rate from over 22 percent in 2007 to 15 percent today and removing the federal capital tax.

Minister Moore also announced the creation of the Space Advisory Board, which will provide expert advice to the government on Canada's role and future in space. The board includes experts from across the country who will help lead Canada's space policy in the years ahead.

The members of the Space Advisory Board are: General (Retired) Walt Natynczyk, Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, former Chief of Defence Staff and former Canadian Space Agency President; Dr. Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice-Chancellor of York University; Terry Malley, President and CEO of Malley Industries; Dr. Arlene Ponting, President Emerita of MindFuel, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring young people's involvement in science through education; Lorne Trottier, Co-founder of Matrox Electronic Systems and the Trottier Family Foundation; Fred George, President and CEO of JLK Global Fund International and Honorary Captain to the Royal Canadian Navy; John Keating, Director of Sandvine and former CEO of COM DEV; Colonel Chris Hadfield, retired Canadian astronaut, former Commander of the International Space Station.

Quick facts

• In 2013, Canada's aerospace industry was responsible for more than 170,000 jobs and contributed $28 billion to the economy. Aerospace is a priority sector under Canada's Global Markets Action Plan.
  
  
• In response to the Emerson report on aerospace and space policies and programs, the government has provided additional funding to the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative and launched a new program to support large-scale technology demonstration projects in the aerospace, space, defence and security industries.
  
  
• The government recently committed $30 million (over five years) to a newly formed, industry-led research network, the Consortium for Aerospace Research and Innovation in Canada (CARIC).
  
  
• It has also announced a comprehensive response to the space recommendations, including the release of Canada's Space Policy Framework to guide decisions in the future.
  
  
• The Space Advisory Board will provide strategic advice on Canada's role and future in space.
  
  

Quote

"Canada's aerospace industry is one of the pillars of the Canadian economy. If we are to continue punching above our weight in aerospace, we must build on our successes. Our government is committed to setting the right conditions to ensure that the aerospace industry and all Canadian businesses continue to compete and succeed on the world stage."

- James Moore, Industry Minister

Related products

- Biographies of members of the Space Advisory Board

Associated links

- Aerospace and Defence home page on Industry Canada website

- The State of the Canadian Aerospace Industry: 2014 Report

Follow us on Twitter: @industrycanada

BACKGROUNDER

Biographies of members of the Space Advisory Board

General (Retired) Walter Natynczyk

Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, former Chief of Defense Staff, and former Canadian Space Agency President

General Walt Natynczyk is a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba. He joined the Canadian Forces in 1975 after spending five years as an Air Cadet. He has served in numerous regimental command positions at all levels from tank troop leader up to commanding officer of The Royal Canadian Dragoons.

General Natynczyk's operational experience consists of four years on NATO duty in Germany; six months of UN peacekeeping duties in Cyprus (1989); a one-year-long mission with the United Nations in the Former Yugoslavia as Sector South-West Chief of Operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1994) with British forces, then as the Chief of Land Operations, UNPROFOR HQ in Zagreb, Croatia (1995). He commanded The Royal Canadian Dragoons in domestic operations during the Winnipeg floods of 1997 as well as in the Ottawa region during the 1998 Ice Storm. He returned to Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1998-1999, where he served as the Canadian Contingent Commander.

As an exchange officer, he served as Deputy Commanding General, III (US) Armored Corps and Fort Hood, Texas and deployed with the Corps to Baghdad, Iraq throughout 2004, serving first as the Deputy Director of Strategy, Policy and Plans and subsequently as the Deputy Commanding General of the Multi-National Corps.

Upon his return to Canada, he assumed command of the Canadian Army's Doctrine and Training System. He was subsequently appointed Chief of Transformation where he was responsible for implementation of the force restructure. He served as the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff from 2006-2008.

General Natynczyk served as Canada's Chief of Defence Staff from 2 July 2008 to 29 October 2012. Key events over his tenure were the combat mission in Afghanistan, the 2010 Winter Olympics, humanitarian support to Haiti and the NATO mission over Libya.

General Natynczyk attended Royal Roads Military College, Victoria, BC and Collège Militaire Royal, Saint-Jean, QC (Business Administration). He is a graduate of the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, the U.K. All-Arms Tactics Course and the US Army War College (Master in Defence Studies).

His decorations include the Commander of the Order of Military Merit (Canada), the Meritorious Service Cross (Canada), the Commander Legion of Merit (US), Commander Légion d'Honneur (France), Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit (Poland) and the Medal of Merit in Gold (Netherlands).

He enjoys jogging and sailing. He and his wife Leslie have three children, Margaret, William and John, who are serving in the Canadian Navy, Air Force and Army respectively.

General Natynczy was President of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) from August6, 2013 to November 3, 2014, and was appointed Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada effective November 3, 2014.

Dr. Mamdouh Shoukri

President and Vice-Chancellor of York University

Dr. Mamdouh Shoukri became York University's seventh President and Vice-Chancellor on July 1, 2007. As the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University, Dr. Shoukri is a member of the Board of Governors, an ex officio member of all Board committees, a member of the University Senate and an ex officio member of all Senate committees.

Dr. Shoukri comes to York from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, where he had been Vice-President, Research & International Affairs, since 2001. He joined McMaster's faculty in 1984 and was appointed Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department in 1990 and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering in 1994.

Dr. Shoukri is a member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Centres of Excellence Inc. and Cancer Care Ontario. He is also Chair of the Government and Community Relations Committee for the Council of Ontario Universities and a member of the Standing Advisory Committee on the Act and By-Laws for the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. He has served on the Ontario Government Advisory Committee for the Centres of Excellence and on the Board of Directors for two Ontario Centres-Materials and Manufacturing Ontario and Communications and Information Technology Ontario. Additionally, he was a member of the Ontario Research and Innovation Council.

Dr. Shoukri is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering. His professional memberships include the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario, the Canadian Nuclear Society and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Dr. Shoukri's scholarly interests are in thermo-fluid science. He is the author and co-author of more than 120 papers that have appeared in refereed journals and symposia. His education credentials include a B.Sc. (Hons.), Mechanical Engineering, Cairo University, 1970; M.Eng., McMaster University, 1974; and Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, 1977.

Terry Malley

President & CEO of Malley Industries Inc.

Terry Malley is the President, Chief Executive Officer and owner of Malley Industries Inc. in Moncton, New Brunswick. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Brunswick, studied commerce at the Université de Moncton and earned a Masters Certificate in Project Management from York University. Malley Industries is one of Canada's premier manufacturers of ambulances, vehicles for persons with disabilities, commercial vehicles and specialized law enforcement vehicles.

Mr. Malley is very community minded and believes in giving back to the community by volunteering. He has served as the Chair of the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce. He serves on the Advisory Board of the University of New Brunswick (UNB) Faculty of Business Administration, and he is the Board Chair of the UNB International Business and Entrepreneurship Centre. He is also a Director of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (NB Division), Chair of the New Brunswick Aerospace & Defence Association, and Director of the Better Business Bureau of the Maritime and the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, among others.

Mr. Malley has been recognized numerous times for his contributions to business and entrepreneurship.

In 2014, he was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Atlantic) for Manufacturing. He has been named one of Atlantic Canada's Top 50 CEOs by Atlantic Business Magazine five times and, in 2010, was inducted into the Atlantic Business CEO Top 50 Hall of Fame. He has been honoured with the Harvey Webber Commemorative Award for contributing to the enhancement of the Chamber of Commerce Movement in the Atlantic Region and has received the Greater Moncton Excellence Award for Community Service and the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium Award for Outstanding Member Contribution.

Dr. Arlene Ponting

President Emerita of MindFuel

Dr. Arlene Ponting has more than 30 years of experience in a variety of leadership roles. President Emerita of MindFuel, formerly Science Alberta Foundation, Dr. Ponting served the organization as the CEO for 13 years.

Dr. Ponting grew Science Alberta Foundation into a world-class organization. Under her leadership, the Foundation won the 2011 Digital Alberta award and was a finalist for the 2011 Alberta Science and Technology Leadership Foundation Award in Science Education and Awareness. In 2012, the Foundation was recognized for its animation on nanotechnology with a Webby Award, a leading international award honouring excellence on the Internet including websites, interactive advertising and online film and video.

Dr. Ponting's passion for the awareness and promotion of science built MindFuel into one of Canada's leading science promotion organizations recognized for its achievements in encouraging youth to enter careers in science and technology and fostering a citizenry that can make informed decisions about science issues facing society.

She has an expertise in corporate social responsibility, environment stewardship, governance, performance metrics, government relations and the public understanding of science. Dr. Ponting has served on eleven boards and councils for not-for-profits, NGOs and government organizations including the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada, the International External Advisory Committee for the Water Initiative at the University of Alberta, the Alberta Environment Monitoring Management Board, the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations, the Alberta Ingenuity Fund, The Caritas Health Group Board, and the Alberta Selection Committee for the Rhodes Scholarships.

She was selected by Canadian Board Diversity Council as one of the Diversity 50 in 2013 and was selected by the Women's Executive Network as one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women for three consecutive years. She has been named by Alberta Venture as one of the top 50 Most Influential People in Alberta and has been a recipient of the Alberta Centennial Medal that was awarded to Albertans in recognition of outstanding service to the people and province of Alberta.

Dr. Ponting has a B.Sc. (Hon) in Pharmacy and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Alberta.

Lorne Trottier

Co-founder, Matrox Electronic Systems Ltd., and the Trottier Family Foundation

Lorne Trottier is co-founder of Matrox, a privately held group of companies known around the world for its innovative computer graphics, video and imaging products. Mr. Trottier earned a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from McGill University in 1970, also receiving the British Association Gold Medal for outstanding academic achievement at that time. He earned a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from McGill in 1973 and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the same university in 2006. Mr. Trottier is currently a member of the advisory boards of the faculties of Engineering and Science, and he is a Governor Emeritus on McGill University's Board of Governors.

In December 2003 Mr. Trottier received the prestigious Prix Lionel-Boulet, the Government of Quebec's highest honour for innovation and leadership in applied technology and its contribution to Quebec's economic growth. In the same year he was honoured by the Fédération de l'informatique du Québec as one of the 25 bâtisseurs des technologies de l'information et des communications (builders of information and communications technologies). In 2007 Mr. Trottier was named a Member of the Order of Canada. In 2011 and 2013, respectively, he received honorary doctorates from l'Université de Montréal and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

Mr. Trottier is co-founder of the Trottier Family Foundation, which was established in 2000 and has made major gifts to McGill University, l'École Polytechnique de Montréal, the McGill University Health Centre, the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal and numerous organizations involved in the fields of science education and health. Among Mr. Trottier's numerous contributions to science and research is the establishment of the Lorne Trottier Chair in Astrophysics and Cosmology, the Lorne Trottier Chair in Aerospace Engineering, the Trottier Institute for Science and Public Policy, and the Trottier Institute for Sustainability in Engineering and Design at McGill University and the Trottier Energy Institute at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal.

Mr. Trottier has been a lifelong space enthusiast and is a member of the Planetary Society's Millennium Committee. In 2014, with support from Mr. Trottier and the Trottier Family Foundation, Simon Fraser University opened the Trottier Observatory and Courtyard and the new Trottier Studio for Innovative Science Education.

Fred George

President and CEO of JLK Global Fund International, and honorary Captain to the Royal Canadian Navy

Fred George is the President and CEO of JLK Global Fund International and former President and Chairman of the Board of Gammon Gold, a gold and silver producer with properties in Mexico.

Mr. George has devoted a significant part of his career to venture financing, and he continues to advise fund managers and bankers around the world, including New York, London, Geneva, Zurich and Paris.

As President and CEO of Gammon Gold, Mr. George facilitated the acquisition and consolidation of one of the largest gold and silver districts in Mexico and successfully listed Gammon Gold on the Toronto Stock and Berlin Stock Exchange.

In 2003 Mr. George rang the opening bell at the American Stock Exchange, and in 2008 he rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange as Gammon Gold was listed on the NYSE.

In 2011 Mr. George was recognized as one of Canada's top 10 leading CEOs, and in 2012 he was honoured with the Life Time Achievement Award from the Mining Society of Nova Scotia.

Mr. George has a long commitment of community service. He is a major donor to the Bridgeway Academy and Sacred Heart School of Halifax, autism organizations and the Mental Health Association, the Arthritis Society, the Special Olympics, the Halifax and Region Military Family Resource Centre and military families, St. Francis Xavier University, and the Fred George Leadership program.

In 2011 Mr. George was appointed honorary chair for UNICEF Canada and has been recognized by the Clinton Foundation for his community service and fundraising for vulnerable citizens around the world.

Mr. George is an honorary captain to the Royal Canadian Navy and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for his achievement in naval services to Canada. In 2013 he also received the Order of Nova Scotia.

Mr. George received an honorary doctorate of Commerce (honoris causa) from St. Mary's University for his outstanding entrepreneurship and his passion for community service.

John Keating

Director, Sandvine, Former CEO, COM DEV International Ltd.

John Keating has over 40 years of experience in the aerospace and high-tech sectors in Canada and Europe.

Mr. Keating was born and educated in England, where he studied mechanical and production engineering at Leicester Polytechnic (now De Montfort University) under the sponsorship of Marconi Radar Systems. He was awarded an Honorary BA in Applied Studies from Conestoga College in 2006 and an Honorary Doctor of Engineering from the University of Waterloo in 2011. He qualified as a Chartered Director, an achievement he earned from The Directors College, a program run by the Conference Board of Canada and the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University.

Throughout his career Mr. Keating has held a wide range of operational and management positions at high-tech companies in Britain, Holland and Canada. Mr. Keating joined COM DEV International in 1992, progressing from the management of major programs, business units and operations to President of COM DEV Wireless (later called COM DEV Broadband) in 1998, President of COM DEV Space in 1999, Chief Operating Officer in 2001 and Chief Executive Officer in 2002.

In 2006 Mr. Keating joined the Board of Directors of Sandvine Incorporated and continues to sit on its Audit, Corporate Governance, and Nominating and Compensation committees.

Mr. Keating was awarded the opportunity to give the prestigious Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute Turnbull Lecture in 2006, was a finalist for the EY Ontario Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2006, led COM DEV in winning the Ontario Premier's Award for Company with the Best Innovation in 2010 and was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the City of Cambridge in 2009.

Mr. Keating currently sits on the Board of Directors of Cambridge and North Dumfries Hydro and has previously served as a member and Chair of the Board of Governors of Conestoga College, Director and Chair of Communitech Corporation, member of the Board of the Canadian Digital Media Network, and member of the Cambridge Economic Development Advisory Council.

Chris Hadfield

Colonel, retired Canadian Astronaut, former Commander of the International Space Station

Born August 29, 1959, in Sarnia, and raised in Milton, Ontario. Colonel Chris Hadfield is married to Helene Hadfield (née Walter). They have three children. He enjoys skiing, playing guitar, singing, riding, writing, running, and playing volleyball and squash. His parents, Roger and Eleanor Hadfield, reside near Milton. Her mother, Gwendoline Walter, resides in Victoria, B.C. Her father, Erhard Walter, is deceased.

Graduated as an Ontario Scholar from Milton District High School in 1977; Received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering (with honours), Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, in 1982; Conducted post-graduate research at the University of Waterloo, Ontario in 1982; Received a Master of Science in aviation systems at the University of Tennessee in 1992.

Affiliations: Royal Military College Club; Society of Experimental Test Pilots; Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute, Honourary Patron of Lambton College; Trustee of Lakefield College School; Board member of Vintage Wings of Canada, President of the Association of Space Explorers.

Recipient of the 1988 Liethen-Tittle Award (top pilot graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School). U.S. Navy Test Pilot of the Year (1991). Honorary Doctorate of Engineering from the Royal Military College (1996). Member of the Order of Ontario (1996). Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Trent University (1999). Vanier Award (2001). Meritorious Service Cross (2001). NASA Exceptional Service Medal (2002). Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal (2003). Inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame (2005). Commemorated on Royal Canadian Mint silver and gold coins for his spacewalk to install Canadarm2 on the International Space Station (2006). Officer of the Order of Canada (2014).

Raised on a corn farm in southern Ontario, Chris Hadfield became interested in flying from a young age. As an Air Cadet, he won a glider pilot scholarship at age 15 and a powered pilot scholarship at age 16. He also taught skiing and ski racing part- and full-time for 10 years.

Hadfield joined the Canadian Armed Forces in May 1978. He spent two years at Royal Roads Military College, in Victoria, British Columbia, followed by two years at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, where he received a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (with honours) in 1982. Hadfield underwent basic flight training in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, for which he was named top pilot in 1980. In 1983, he took honours as the overall top graduate from Basic Jet Training in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and in 1984-1985, he trained as a fighter pilot in Cold Lake, Alberta on CF-5s and CF-18s.

For the next three years Hadfield flew CF-18s for the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) with 425 Squadron, during which time he flew the first CF-18 intercept of a Soviet "Bear" aircraft. He attended the United States Air Force (USAF) Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, in California, and upon graduation, served as an exchange officer with the U. S. Navy at Strike Test Directorate at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. His accomplishments from 1989 to 1992 included testing the F/A-18 and A-7 aircraft; performing research work with NASA on pitch control margin simulation and flight; completing the first military flight of F/A-18 enhanced performance engines; piloting the first flight test of the National Aerospace Plane external burning hydrogen propulsion engine; developing a new handling qualities rating scale for high angle-of-attack test; and participating in the F/A-18 out-of-control recovery test program. In total, Hadfield has flown over 70 different types of aircraft.

In June 1992 Chris Hadfield was selected to become one of four new Canadian astronauts from a field of 5330 applicants. He was assigned by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas in August of the same year, where he addressed technical and safety issues for Shuttle Operations Development, contributed to the development of the glass shuttle cockpit, and supported shuttle launches at the Kennedy Space Center, in Florida. In addition, Hadfield was NASA's Chief CapCom, the voice of mission control to astronauts in orbit, for 25 space shuttle missions. From 1996 to 2000, he represented CSA astronauts and coordinated their activities as the Chief Astronaut for the CSA.

From 2001-2003, Hadfield was the Director of Operations for NASA at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre (GCTC) in Star City, Russia. His work included coordination and direction of all International Space Station crew activities in Russia, oversight of training and crew support staff, as well as policy negotiation with the Russian Space Program and other International Partners. He also trained and became fully qualified to be a flight engineer cosmonaut in the Soyuz TMA spacecraft, and to perform spacewalks in the Russian Orlan spacesuit.

Hadfield is a civilian CSA astronaut, having retired as a Colonel from the Canadian Air Force in 2003 after 25 years of military service. He was Chief of Robotics for the NASA Astronaut Office at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas from 2003-2006, and was Chief of International Space Station Operations there from 2006-2008.

In November 1995 Hadfield served as Mission Specialist 1 on STS-74, NASA's second space shuttle mission to rendezvous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir. During the flight, the crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis attached a five-tonne docking module to Mir and transferred over 1,000 kg of food, water, and scientific supplies to the cosmonauts. Hadfield flew as the first Canadian mission specialist, the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm in orbit, and the only Canadian to ever board Mir.

In April 2001 Hadfield served as Mission Specialist 1 on STS-100 International Space Station (ISS) assembly Flight 6A. The crew of Space Shuttle Endeavour delivered and installed Canadarm2, the new Canadian-built robotic arm, as well as the Italian-made resupply module Raffaello. During the 11-day flight, Hadfield performed two spacewalks, which made him the first Canadian to ever leave a spacecraft and float freely in space. In total, Hadfield spent 14 hours, 54 minutes outside, travelling 10 times around the world.

From 2008-09, Hadfield served as the backup for Dr. Bob Thirsk for Expedition 20/21, a long-duration spaceflight, training to live and work on board the ISS for a period up to six months. After this assignment, he supported the ISS Operations Branch and developed Emergency procedures for the ISS.

From May 10 to 23, 2010 Hadfield was the Commander of NEEMO 14, a NASA undersea mission to test exploration concepts living in an underwater facility off the Florida coast. NEEMO 14 used the ocean floor to simulate exploration missions to the surface of asteroids, moons and Mars in order to gain a better understanding of how astronaut crews interact with equipment including advanced spacesuits, a lander, a rover and robotic arms.

In June 2010, Hadfield was part of the Pavilion Lake research team, located 420 km northeast of Vancouver. Pavilion Lake is one of the few places on Earth where microbialites are found. The team used a combination of remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, SCUBA divers and DeepWorker submersibles to help understand how the microbialites formed and possibly make it easier to identify potential forms of extraterrestrial life on future missions to Mars.

In September 2010, Chris Hadfield was assigned to Expedition 34/35. On December 19, 2012 he launched aboard the Russian Soyuz, enroute to becoming the second Canadian to take part in a long-duration spaceflight aboard the ISS. On March 13, 2013 he became the first Canadian to command a spaceship as Commander of the ISS during the second portion of his five-month stay in space. On May 13, Hadfield, Tom Marshburn and Roman Romanenko landed in Kazakhstan after travelling almost 99.8 million kilometres while completing 2,336 orbits of Earth. The trio spent 146 days in space, 144 of which were aboard the station.

In June 2013, Chris Hadfield announced that he would retire from the CSA as of July 3, 2013 to take up new challenges.