Ontario aerospace companies and their partners are helping to accelerate a green shift in aviation and aerospace through collaborative projects funded by the Downsview Aerospace Innovation & Research (DAIR) Green Fund.
The aerospace industry in Ontario and across Canada is a key component of the shift towards a greener and more environmentally sustainable future. Green aviation technologies and processes are vital to long-term success in the effort to reach the global target of net zero-carbon emissions by 2050 – and a wide range of projects and technologies will be needed as part of a holistic approach.
A first in Ontario, the DAIR Green Fund provides financial support to help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) advance the technology readiness of projects that can help reduce the environmental footprint of the aerospace sector. Eight projects led by southern Ontario SMEs have been selected as Green Fund recipients in this initial round. The recipients are: Aeroflux, Brampton Processing, Burloak Technologies, Drone Delivery Canada, HEBE, Horizon Aircraft, OVA and Solid Ultrabatery.
“The DAIR Green Fund-supported projects will help advance sustainable innovation in the Ontario aerospace sector,” says Maryse Harvey, Executive Director of DAIR. “Such innovation will strengthen Canadian global competitiveness, as many nations around the world pursue green transformation initiatives in aviation and aerospace.”
“This important effort has enabled the creation of promising research and development partnerships, paving the way for increased collaboration which is key to our industry’s success,” added Steven Cargnello, DAIR Green Fund Manager.
Government of Canada support for the DAIR Green Fund was announced on August 23, 2022. The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) is investing up to $2.6 million through the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI) to support the Green Fund as well as DAIR’s Supplier Development Initiative (SDI). Both initiatives are designed to help the Ontario aerospace ecosystem increase competitiveness and sustainability.
Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, along with Ya’ara Saks, Member of Parliament for York Centre, attended an event at the DAIR hub to celebrate the eight innovative projects that received Green Fund support.
The event was held at the Landing Gear Innovation Lab, Centennial College at Downsview Campus (North York).
“In order to meet our goal of becoming a net-zero economy, we must ensure that we are providing the new capabilities and technology for industries to easily make the transition. The DAIR Green Fund provides supports to businesses who are leading the charge in creating sustainable innovations that will help grow Canada’s aerospace industry. The eight businesses in southern Ontario that we are celebrating today have created environmentally friendly projects that will keep this industry competitive globally and create more jobs nationally. Our government is committed to finding new ways to move toward a greener economy that works for everyone.” – Hon. Filomena Tassi, Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
DAIR Green Fund Selection Process
In the fall of 2022, the DAIR Green Fund invited SMEs to propose projects for funding. Applicants had to be located in southern Ontario to be eligible for the program.
The focus of the projects included a broad cross-section of technologies and processes that can impact green aerospace or sustainability. A rigorous process based on industry best practices was used to manage the project solicitation, evaluation and selection process. A review committee composed of five (5) members with diverse background and expertise from across industry, academia and research centres was formed to assess the projects.
The members of the review committee were from Innovitech Inc., the National Research Council of Canada, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, and Bombardier. Proposed projects were assessed based on weighted criteria including environmental benefits, economic impact in southern Ontario, collaboration, and project planning and management.
About DAIR
Downsview Aerospace Innovation & Research (DAIR) is a not-for-profit whose mission is to revolutionize the collaboration environment by catalyzing innovation in aerospace and beyond. DAIR supports its members by offering access to state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure to accelerate leading-edge and sustainable research and technology adoption; creating training solutions for the business and technology challenges of today and tomorrow; providing a platform for industry, academia and government synergies, to foster and advance R&D partnerships; and advocation for the aerospace industry locally, nationally and globally.
About FedDev Ontario
For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues and creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Contacts:
Samantha Glover
Senior Coordinator, Outreach and Promotion, DAIR
communications@dairhub.com
Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca