Thank you, Mr. Dias.
Good morning.
I would like to begin by applauding the Bloc Québécois for proposing this study and the committee members for turning their attention to such an important issue.
I know this has been said by several witnesses, but it bears repeating: the government should spare no effort to ensure the aerospace sector in Quebec and Canada survives and thrives. Looking beyond the crisis, the government must foster an environment that allows the industry to remain a leader, especially in Quebec, where the resources to build an aircraft can be sourced within a 30-kilometre radius.
Mr. Dias talked about the many layoffs, 900 of which are in Montreal, at Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney, CAE and CMC. We are talking about a sector that employs 60,000 people in Quebec. As you well know, as long as aircraft remain grounded, things will keep getting worse.
We did an analysis in Quebec, with the help of our locals, and three findings emerged. Aircraft and engine maintenance contracts, military contracts and innovative products such as CAE's ventilators are largely responsible for keeping people employed. That evidence should guide us as we look for solutions. For example, we could safeguard our procurement contracts by awarding maintenance contracts for government, military and emergency aircraft to Canadian companies; that would be a fundamental step.
Another crucial area in need of attention is research and development. The people at CAE were the first to design ventilators certified by Canadian authorities. They were able to manufacture them in record time and are now producing Pyure-brand air purifiers, which are incredibly effective at sanitizing the air and surfaces in buildings and eliminating pathogens in schools, airplanes and trains.