Canada offers support for aerospace as election looms

Canada and Quebec are ready to spend a combined C$693 million ($550 million) on aerospace projects that cut carbon emissions, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday, a boost for high-tech jobs ahead of an expected fall federal election. The total will be shared between training specialist CAE Inc , the Canadian unit of US engine maker Pratt & Whitney, and Textron, the parent company of Bell Helicopter. When in-house company spending is added, the total rises to more than C$1.8b, officials said. Trudeau said the move would create and maintain 12,000 jobs in the province of Quebec. That province accounts for almost a quarter of the seats in the House of Commons and is crucial to his hopes of retaining power. Confirmation of support came after Reuters reported Canada would “co-invest” with Pratt to bring a hybrid turboprop engine to first flight as part of wider aerospace funding. “There is fierce global competition to see who will develop the next cleaner aircraft or the next technology which will revolutionize the sector,” Trudeau told reporters.<br/>