Bombardier commits $6M to fund R&D hub and heritage site

Montreal’s Bombardier has committed several million dollars for an aerospace R&D hub in the GTA, which brings together academia and industry with support from the three levels of government. The multi-year funds are earmarked not only for R&D in the aerospace hub but are also intended to support the operations of the Downsview Aerospace Innovation and Research Consortium (DAIR) and preserve the aerospace heritage on the site. An initial investment of $1.5 million for five years has been set to fund the Aeromaterials Research Centre to be established at the DAIR Innovation Centre. Another $1 million over five years starting 2019 will help create the two Aerospace Research Centres at Ryerson Univ and the Univ of Toronto. Centennial College will also benefit from this support through its Landing Gear Research project and its training program for the next three years in the college’s Downsview campus. Then, there is $900,000 over the next three years to support the operations of the DAIR Innovation Centre. As part of this commitment and as a founding member of the DAIR consortium, Bombardier will also be actively involved in the board of directors. As its contribution to preserve the site for its historical importance to the development of the aerospace industry, the manufacturer has committed $2.5 million to refurbish the “Moth Building,” which will be the cornerstone of the DAIR Innovation Centre.