CTA calls on its MP: funding cuts threaten our region's capacity for innovation

The CTA is calling on Ian Lafrenière to intervene quickly with the Minister for the Economy, so that he reconsiders the decision to withdraw core funding for CCTTs.

The Aerospace Technology Center (CTA) is today appealing to Ian Lafrenière, MNA for the riding of Vachon and Minister responsible for Relations with First Nations and Inuit, to intervene quickly 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.