Bombardier will reinforce its partnership with the Downsview Aerospace Innovation and Research Consortium (DAIR) to establish an aerospace hub in Toronto’s Downsview area. Through a multi-million dollar contribution, Bombardier will focus on three main goals: supporting DAIR’s academic and research activities, supporting DAIR’s operations, and preserving the aerospace heritage of the site.
Starting this year, Bombardier will provide CA$1.5 million over five years to fund core research at the Aeromaterials Research Centre, to be established at the DAIR Innovation Centre. The Centre will bring together industry and academic partners in a collaborative space for aerospace training and education, R&D, and sector advisory services to maintain Canada’s leadership role in the global market.
Starting in 2019, Bombardier will contribute an aggregate CA$1 million over five years for the creation of two Aerospace Research Centres at Ryerson University and the University of Toronto. These Centers will focus on research in the areas of advanced interiors and acoustics. In addition, Bombardier will provide funding to Centennial College for the completion of its Landing Gear Research project, while extending its existing training program to train a minimum of 50 individuals for each of the next three years at Centennial College’s Downsview Campus.
Bombardier will also provide CA$900,000 over the next three years to support formal operations of the DAIR Innovation Centre, and as a founding member of the Consortium, will remain actively engaged by appointing a member to its Board of Directors.
Finally, in recognition of Downsview’s historical importance in the development of the aerospace industry in Ontario, Bombardier will be providing a total of CA$2.5 million in capital funding to refurbish the heritage “Moth Building”, which will be the cornerstone of the DAIR Innovation Centre.
