CTA calls on MNA Ian Lafrenière: Funding cuts threaten regional capacity for innovation
The Centre technologique en aérospatiale (CTA) at Cégep Édouard-Montpetit is today appealing to Ian Lafrenière, Member of Parliament for the riding of Vachon and Minister responsible for First Nations and Inuit Relations, to intervene swiftly with the Minister for the Economy, Christopher Skeete, so that he reconsiders his ministry's decision to withdraw, without notice, the historic core funding granted to college technology transfer centers (CCTT) like the CTA.
This total funding of $5.1 million from the Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie (MEIE) represents 20% of the CCTTs' core funding, enabling them to support crucial elements of their operations: infrastructure maintenance, administrative operations, business support capacity and the stability of research team expertise.
The withdrawal of this $5.1 million sends a disturbing signal that the Ministry does not recognize the role of CCTTs. Yet CCTTs contribute directly to innovation, SME competitiveness and regional development. In a fast-changing economic context, both in Canada and internationally, solutions in terms of productivity, innovation and market diversification are essential levers for development.
"This decision puts us in an unjustifiably precarious situation, and hampers our ability to meet the growing needs of aerospace companies, which make a major contribution to the vitality of our regional and Quebec economy," says Frédéric Parent-Huybrechts, General Manager of the Aerospace Technology Centre.
A concern shared by the entire regional ecosystem
This cut, combined with the budgetary restrictions affecting the entire college network, is causing great concern among regional partners. Companies supported by college technology transfer centers, economic development organizations, the Fédération des cégeps and several regional leaders have already voiced their concern.
Local businesses will be the first to suffer: SMEs that rely on CCTT support to modernize their production, innovate their processes, train their workforce and remain competitive. This withdrawal also threatens access to expertise for the community, municipalities and cooperatives that benefit from their support.
The CTA and its partners are therefore calling on Ian Lafrenière to bring the voice of his constituents to the National Assembly, and to call on the Minister to reconsider this withdrawal as a matter of urgency.
About the Aerospace Technology Center (CTA)
The CTA is a college technology transfer center affiliated with Cégep Édouard-Montpetit and located on the site of its École nationale d'aérotechnique. Specializing in aerospace technology applications, the CTA supports the efforts of companies in the sector to increase their knowledge, productivity and competitiveness, as well as the quality of their products and services. With over seventy experts in composites and advanced materials, non-destructive testing, aeronautical systems development and integration, metal fabrication and metrology, artificial intelligence, robotics and automation, and alternative propulsion. The Center is recognized for its complementarity with the various players in aeronautical research and technology transfer. It adheres to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.
To find out more about the Aerospace Technology Center, its sectors of activity, facilities and experienced specialists, visit www.aerospatiale.org.
About the CCTT Network
The CCTT Network is a group of 59 college centers for technology transfer and innovative social practices (CCTTs). Each CCTT possesses unique expertise enabling it to support organizations in their innovation process. Whether for technical assistance, applied research, information requests or training in the use of new processes or equipment, the 2,400 experts in the CCTT Network are able to propose solutions tailored to the client's environment.
For a complete list of our CCTTs: https://reseaucctt.ca/centres
Sources :
CCTT Network
Samuel Gervais - Media Relations Advisor
samuel@reseaucctt.ca
819-699-3080 (phone or text)
Aerospace Technology Center (CTA)
Nathalie Coutu - Communications Consultant
nathalie.coutu@cegepmontpetit.ca
514 929-3805