Thank you, Madam Chair.
Good morning to my colleagues and to the witnesses, whom I thank for their time.
Mr. Wudrick, from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, asked us why we should support this particular industry. For Quebec, this industry represents 40,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs, 220 companies, 200 of which are small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), and $18 billion in sales, 80% of which are exports. It is the largest exporter in Quebec, which is also the third largest aerospace hub in the world, after Seattle and Toulouse. Only three places in the world have suppliers capable of providing all the components needed to build an aircraft, from A to Z, and greater Montreal is one of them. For this reason alone, it is a strategic industry that deserves to be defended.
In addition, we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that a number of sectors will be affected more severely and for longer than others. They will need specific assistance, and I don't think I need to list the reasons. Flights are cancelled, so the planes are grounded. There is no maintenance, no replacement parts, and thousands of jobs have been lost. The industry is even forced to lend its workers to the construction industry, risking the loss of expertise and thereby the ability to bounce back. Some small and medium-sized businesses may have to close their doors. That's how serious it is.
All over the world, people are preparing for the next generation of aircraft. We also know that we need to develop a comprehensive policy now to ensure that our industry is still at the cutting edge of innovation in 10 years. However, of course, an aerospace policy should not be limited to financial assistance. We agree on that. All players must be at the table, including workers, companies and governments. Programs must be specific and tailored to the reality of the sector. Policies can be broad, whether in terms of the green shift, recycling or maintenance, but this also means providing cash and loans to buyers, and funding for research and development.
In short, if we look at the big picture, it's a highly strategic industry, and it's as important to Quebec as the auto industry is to Ontario or oil is to western Canada.
Mr. Wudrick, if we are not supposed to support aerospace, should we stop supporting the oil and automobile sectors?