Jim Quick, President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, today issued the following statement announcing Rick Pitre, Brigadier General (RET) and Director General for Space (Department of National Defence) is joining AIAC as a Special Advisor – Space:
“On behalf of the AIAC Board and our members, it is my pleasure to welcome Brigadier General Pitre to the AIAC team. With a career spanning over 40 years both as a senior officer of the Royal Canadian Air Force, graduate of the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College and the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, UK, and as an active participant in aerospace and defence following his retirement, Brigadier General Pitre’s extensive knowledge and experience will play a critical role in our efforts to maximize Canada’s leadership at the forefront of space.”
Brigadier General Pitre will manage AIAC’s space committee and provide policy and government relations support to the membership as part of the AIAC government relations team.
“While the federal government’s space strategy, announced almost one year ago was a positive step, the release of a fully costed and funded plan is an urgent and necessary next step. The addition of General Pitre to the AIAC team brings us one step closer to achieving our Vision 2025 target of ensuring Canada realizes the full economic, social, scientific and strategic benefits of Canada’s place as a global leader in the exploration, research and commercialization of space,” concluded Quick.
About Vision 2025:
AIAC launched Vision 2025 just over a year ago. Vision 2025 is a pan-Canadian initiative that has started a new dialogue to protect Canadian jobs and secure our future as an international aerospace champion.
For more than a year, AIAC conducted cross-country consultations engaging our members, federal and provincial governments, and the 215,000 employees that depend on aerospace. Thousands attended AIAC’s engagement days including provincial premiers, provincial and federal ministers and representatives from unions, colleges, universities and more. The process resulted in a comprehensive report titled, Charting a New Course, that outlines the industry’s concerns and recommendations with six key priority areas that require increased government and industry collaboration.
About AIAC:
AIAC is the national association representing Canada’s aerospace manufacturing and services sector. As the world’s fifth-largest aerospace industry, Canada’s aerospace sector contributes nearly $25B to the economy in GDP, exports 75% of its output, and dedicates over 20% of its activity to research and development (R&D). Aerospace is responsible for the employment of 215,000
