Press release
Unifor Quebec welcomes the CF-35A training contract awarded to CAE and reiterates the importance of strategic sourcing for Canadian aerospace
Montreal— Unifor Quebec, which represents several thousand workers in the aerospace sector, welcomes the federal government’s announcement that it has awarded CAE a major training contract for CF-35A pilots. Valued at $5 billion over 37 years, this contract will create an estimated 1,100 direct jobs and promises major economic spin-offs for Quebec and the country as a whole.
“The threat of a tariff war is forcing us to rethink our approach to procurement. We need to act more deliberately to mobilize our own aerospace sector and protect our manufacturing base. This announcement is a step in the right direction. We call on the federal government to maintain this direction when awarding future contracts.”
Daniel Cloutier, Unifor Quebec director
“This announcement represents a major step towards consolidating Quebec know-how in a leading-edge sector. I’m convinced that our members are eager to put their expertise to work to make this partnership a success. We expect the spin-offs from this contract to translate into sustainable, well-paid jobs, while supporting innovation and the next generation in our industry.”
- Sophie Albert, President of Unifor Québec Local 522
Among the 27 recommendations contained in the aerospace policy unveiled in Montreal last September, Unifor highlighted the vital role of public procurement in the development of the aerospace sector.
“Project trajectories in the aerospace, space and defense sectors should be reviewed with a view to maximizing economic benefits for Canada and strengthening the country’s industrial capacity. The role of procurement, particularly when these products meet proven and recurring needs […] is under-utilized and under-developed in Canada. Unifor sees this as a huge and glaring weakness that needs to be addressed.”
- Excerpt from Unifor’s Aerospace Policy “Building for the Next Generation” unveiled on September 26, 2024
About Unifor
Unifor is Canada’s largest private sector union, representing 320,000 workers in all major sectors of the economy, including 11,000 in the aerospace sector. In Quebec, Unifor represents workers at several major aerospace companies, including Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney, Héroux-Devtek and CAE.
For media inquiries, please contact Véronique Figliuzzi, Unifor Québec national communications representative, at veronique.figliuzzi@unifor.org.